Optical laminate, organic el display device, and foldable device

ABSTRACT

Provided is an organic EL display device including an optical laminate, and a foldable device formed of the organic EL display device. The optical laminate includes a glass plate, a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a polarizer layer, a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and an optically anisotropic layer in this order, in which the glass plate has a thickness of less than 100 μm, the polarizing layer is formed of a composition for forming a polarizing layer which contains a liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroic material, a distance A between the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the polarizer layer is 10 μm or less, and a distance B between the polarizer layer and the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 10 μm or less.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of PCT International Application No.PCT/JP2020/035756 filed on. Sep. 23, 2020, which claims priority under35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019178179 filedon Sep. 30, 2019. The above application is hereby expressly incorporatedby reference, in its entirety, into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical laminate, an organic ELdisplay device, and a foldable device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, with the spread of thin displays, displays (organic ELdisplay devices) equipped with an organic electroluminescence (EL) panelhave been suggested. Further, an organic EL display device that can beused for a foldable device has been suggested, and a polarizing plate(optical laminate) that can be used for such an organic EL displaydevice has also been suggested (for example, WO2016/158300A).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Under such circumstances, as a result of research on the opticallaminate described in WO2016/158300A, the present inventors haveclarified that damage such as cracks may occur in a case where theoptical laminate is repeatedly bent. That is, it is clarified thatrepeated bending resistance (also simply referred to as “bendingresistance”) may be insufficient.

Further, in recent years, as demands for the performance of organic ELdisplay devices have increased, further improvement in performance withrespect to optical laminates used in organic EL display devices has beenrequired. In particular, the optical laminates are required to haveexcellent scratch resistance, have performance that is unlikely to bechanged (have excellent durability) even in a case of being exposed to ahigh-temperature environment, and have a shape that is unlikely to bechanged (shape stability) even in a case of being exposed to ahigh-temperature and high-humidity environment.

In consideration of the above-described circumstances, an object of thepresent invention is to provide an optical laminate with excellentbending resistance, scratch resistance, durability, and shape stability,an organic. EL display device including the optical laminate, and afoldable device formed of the organic EL display device.

As a result of intensive research conducted by the present inventors inorder to solve the above-described problem, it was found that theabove-described problem can be solved by using a specific polarizerlayer and setting the distance between layers to a predetermined value,thereby completing the present invention.

That is, the present inventors found that the above-described problemscan be solved by employing the following configurations.

(1) An optical laminate comprising: a glass plate; a firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer; a polarizer layer; a secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and an optically anisotropic layer inthis order, in which the glass plate has a thickness of less than 100μm, the polarizer layer is a polarizer layer formed of a composition forforming a polarizer layer which contains a liquid crystal compound andan organic dichroic material, a distance A between the firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the polarizer layer is 10 μm orless, a distance B between the polarizer layer and the secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 10 μm or less, in a case where twoor more pressure-sensitive adhesive layers are provided between theglass plate and the polarizer layer, the first pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer denotes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer closest tothe polarizer layer among the two or more pressure-sensitive adhesivelayers provided between the glass plate and the polarizer layer, and ina case where two or more pressure-sensitive adhesive layers are providedbetween the polarizer layer and the optically anisotropic layer, thesecond pressure-sensitive adhesive layer denotes a pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer closest to the polarizer layer among the two or morepressure-sensitive adhesive layers provided between the polarizer layerand the optically anisotropic layer.

(2) The optical laminate according to (1), in which the firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a cohesive adhesive layer.

(3) The optical laminate according to (1) or (2), in which the secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer is an adhesive layer.

(4) The optical laminate according to (3), in which the adhesive layeris an adhesive layer formed of a PVA-based adhesive or a UV adhesive.

(5) The optical laminate according to any one of (1) to (4), in which afunctional layer is provided in at least one of between the firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the polarizer layer or between thepolarizer layer and the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

(6) The optical laminate according to any one of (1) to (5), in whichthe polarizer layer has a thickness of 10 μm or less.

(7) The optical laminate according to any one of (1) to (6), in whichthe optically anisotropic layer is formed by being coated with a liquidcrystal composition.

(8) The optical laminate according to any one of (1) to (7), in whichthe first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has an absorbance of 0.5 orgreater at a wavelength of 360 mu and a wavelength of 400 inn.

(9) The optical laminate according to any one of (1) to (8), thithercomprising: a UV absorbing layer having an absorbance of 0.5 or greaterat a wavelength of 360 nm and a wavelength of 400 run on a side of theglass plate with respect to the polarizer layer.

(10) An organic EL display device comprising: the optical laminateaccording to any one of (1) to (9).

(11) A foldable device which is formed of the organic EL display deviceaccording to (10).

As described below, according to the present invention, it is possibleto provide an optical laminate with excellent bending resistance,scratch resistance, durability, and shape stability, an organic ELdisplay device including the optical laminate, and a foldable deviceformed of the organic EL display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of alaminate of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of alaminate of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

The description of constituent elements described below may be madebased on typical embodiments of the present invention, but the presentinvention is not limited to such embodiments.

In addition, in the present specification, a numerical range shown using“to” indicates a range including numerical values described before andafter “to” as a lower limit and an upper limit.

Further, in the present specification, materials corresponding torespective components may be used alone or in combination of two or morekinds thereof. Here, in a case where two or more kinds of materialscorresponding to respective components are used in combination, thecontent of the components indicates the total content of the combinedmaterials unless otherwise specified.

Further, in the present specification, “(meth)acrylate” is a notationrepresenting “acrylate” or “methacrylate”, “(meth)acryl” is a notationrepresenting “acryl” or “methacryl”, and “(meth)acryloyl” is a notationrepresenting “acryloyl” or “methacryloyl”.

[I] Optical Laminate

An optical laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention(hereinafter, also referred to as a “laminate according to theembodiment of the present invention”) includes a glass plate, a firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a polarizer layer, a secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and an optically anisotropic layer inthis order, in which the glass plate has a thickness of less than 100μm, the polarizer layer is a polarizer layer formed of a composition forforming a polarizer layer which contains a liquid crystal compound andan organic dichroic material, a distance A between the firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the polarizer layer is 10 μm orless, and a distance B between the polarizer layer and the secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 10 μm or less.

Here, in a case where two or more pressure-sensitive adhesive layers areprovided between the glass plate and the polarizer layer, the firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer denotes a pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer closest to the polarizer layer among the two or morepressure-sensitive adhesive layers provided between the glass plate andthe polarizer layer, and in a case where two or more pressure-sensitiveadhesive layers are provided between the polarizer layer and theoptically anisotropic layer, the second pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer denotes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer closest to thepolarizer layer among the two or more pressure-sensitive adhesive layersprovided between the polarizer layer and the optically anisotropiclayer.

First, the laminate according to the embodiment of the present inventionwill be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of thelaminate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

An optical laminate 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a glass plate 10, afirst pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 20, a polarizer layer 30, asecond pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 40, and a λ/4 plate 50(optically anisotropic layer) in order.

Here, the glass plate 10 has a thickness of less than 100 μm.

Further, the polarizer layer 30 is a polarizer layer (specific polarizerlayer) formed of a composition for forming a polarizer layer whichcontains a liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroic material.

Further, the distance A between the first pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 20 and the polarizer layer 30 is 10 μm or less.

Further, the distance B between the polarizer layer 30 and the secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer 40 is 10 μm or less.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example ofthe laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

An optical laminate 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes the glass plate 10, thefirst pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 20, an oxygen blocking layer 80,a cured layer 70, the polarizer layer 30, a photo-alignment layer 60,the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 40, and the λ/4 plate 50(optically anisotropic layer) in order.

Here, the glass plate 10 has a thickness of less than 100 μm.

Further, the polarizer layer 30 is a polarizer layer (specific polarizerlayer) formed of a composition for forming a polarizer layer whichcontains a liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroic material.

Further, the distance A between the first pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer 20 and the polarizer layer 30 is 10 μm or less.

Further, the distance B between the polarizer layer 30 and the secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer 40 is 10 μm or less.

Hereinafter, each layer of the laminate according to the embodiment ofthe present invention will be described.

[1] Glass Plate

As described above, the laminate according to the embodiment of thepresent invention includes a glass plate.

The thickness of the glass plate is less than 100 μm.

Hereinafter, the glass plate having a thickness of less than 100 μm isalso referred to as a “specific glass plate”.

The material of the specific glass plate is not particularly limited,but according to the classification based on the composition, examplesthereof include soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicateglass, and quartz glass. Further, according to the classification basedon alkaline components, examples thereof include non-alkali glass andlow-alkali glass,

[Thickness of Glass Plate]

As described above, the thickness of the specific glass plate is lessthan 100 μm. From the viewpoint that the effects of the presentinvention are more excellent, the thickness thereof is preferably 80 μmor less and more preferably 60 μM or less. The lower limit of thethickness of the specific glass plate is not particularly limited, butis preferably 10 μm or greater, more preferably 20 μm or greater, andstill more preferably 30 μm or greater from the viewpoint that theeffects of the present invention are more excellent.

The specific glass plate has a minimum bending diameter of preferably 2mmφ or less. Here, the minimum bending diameter denotes the minimumradius that enables bending without causing damage.

[2] First Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Layer

As described above, the laminate according to the embodiment of thepresent invention includes a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

In the present specification, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is acohesive adhesive layer or an adhesive layer.

In a case where two or more pressure-sensitive adhesive layers areprovided between the glass plate described above and the specificpolarizer layer described below, the first pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer closest to the specificpolarizer layer among the two or more pressure-sensitive adhesivelayers.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the first pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer is a cohesive adhesive layer.

Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive contained in the cohesiveadhesive layer include a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, anacrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive, a silicone-based pressure-sensitiveadhesive, a urethane-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, a vinyl alkylether-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, a polyvinyl alcohol-basedpressure-sensitive adhesive, a polyvinylpyrrolidone-basedpressure-sensitive adhesive, a polyacrylamide-based pressure-sensitiveadhesive, and a cellulose-based pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Among these, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (pressure-sensitiveadhesive) is preferable from the viewpoints of the transparency, theweather resistance, the heat resistance, and the like.

From the viewpoint at the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has an absorbanceof 0.5 or greater at a wavelength of 360 nm and a wavelength of 400 nm.Examples of a method of forming such a layer include a method ofblending an ultraviolet absorbing agent.

[Thickness of the First Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Layer]

The thickness of the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is notparticularly limited, but is preferably in a range of 1 to 500 μm, morepreferably in a range of 10 to 400 μm, and still more preferably in arange of 100 to 300 μm from the viewpoint that the effects of thepresent invention are more excellent.

[3] Polarizer Layer

As described above, the laminate according to the embodiment of thepresent invention includes a polarizer layer.

Here, the polarizer layer is a polarizer layer (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as a “specific polarizer layer”) formed of a composition forforming a polarizer layer which contains a liquid crystal compound andan organic dichroic material. From the viewpoint that the effects of thepresent invention are more excellent, it is preferable that the specificpolarizer layer does not contain iodine.

Suitable Embodiment

It is preferable that the specific polarizer layer is a polarizer layerformed by being coated with a liquid crystal composition containing anorganic dichroic material (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a“dichroic material”) and a polymer liquid crystal compound. Hereinafter,the present embodiment will be described.

[Liquid Crystal Composition]

First, the components contained in the liquid crystal composition willbe describe.

<Polymer Liquid Crystal Compound>

The liquid crystal composition used for forming the specific polarizerlayer contains a polymer liquid crystal compound. Since the compositioncontains a polymer liquid crystal compound, the dichroic materials canbe aligned with a high degree of alignment while the precipitation ofthe dichroic materials is suppressed.

Here, the “polymer liquid crystal compound” is a liquid crystal compoundhaving a repeating unit in the chemical structure. The liquid crystalcompound in the present invention is a liquid crystal compound that doesnot exhibit dichroism.

Examples of the polymer liquid crystal compound include thermotropicliquid crystal polymers described in JP2011-237513A. Further, thepolymer liquid crystal compound may contain a crosslinkable group (suchas an acryloyl group or a methacryloyl group) at a terminal.

The polymer liquid crystal compound may be used alone or in combinationof two or more kinds thereof.

In a case where the liquid crystal composition contains a polymer liquidcrystal compound, the content of the polymer liquid crystal compound ispreferably in a range of 75% to 95% by mass, more preferably in a rangeof 75% to 90% by mass, and still more preferably in a range of 80% to90% by mass in terms of the solid content ratio. In a case where thecontent of the polymer liquid crystal compound is in the above-describedrange, the degree of alignment of the specific polarizer layer isfurther improved.

(Repeating Unit Represented by Formula (1))

It is preferable that the liquid crystal composition contains a polymerliquid crystal compound having a repeating unit represented by Formula(1) as the structure of the polymer liquid crystal compound.

Here, in Formula (1), R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.

B represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkylgroup, an alkoxy group, an amino group, an oxycarbonyl group, an acyloxygroup, an acylamino group, are alkoxycarbonylamino group, asulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthiogroup, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, or a ureido group.

M represents a mesogen group represented by Formula (1-1).

Here, in Formula (1-1), Ar¹¹ and Ar¹² each independently represent aphenylene group or biphenylene group which may have a substituent.

L¹¹ and L¹² each independently represent a single bond or a divalentlinking group containing no azo group.

Y represents an imino group, a —OCO—CH═CH— group, or a —CH═CH—CO₂—group.

m1 and m2 each independently represent an integer of 1 to 3.

In a case where nil represents an integer of 2 or 3, a plurality ofAr¹¹'s may be the same as or different from each other, and a pluralityof L¹¹'s may be the same as or different from each other.

In a case where m2 represents an integer of 2 or 3, a plurality ofAr¹²'s may be the same as or different from each other, and a pluralityof L¹²'s may be the same as or different from each other.

Next, the divalent linking group represented by L in Formula (1) will bedescribed.

Examples of the divalent linking group includes —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—,—O—CO—O—, —NR^(N)CO—, —CONR^(N)—, an alkylene group, and a divalentgroup formed by combining two or more of these groups. Further, R^(N)represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.

Among these, a divalent group formed by combining one or more groupsselected from the group consisting of —O—, —COO—, and —OCO— with analkylene group is preferable.

Further, the number of carbon atoms of the alkylene group is preferablyin a range of 2 to 16.

The mesogen group represented by Formula (1-1), which is represented byM in Formula (I) will be described below. Further, in Formula (1-1), *represents a bonding position with respect to L or B in Formula (1).

In Formula (1-1), Ar¹¹ and Ar¹² each independently represent a phenylenegroup or a biphenylene group which may have a substituent.

Here, the substituent is not particularly limited, and examples thereofinclude a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkyloxy group, an alkylthiogroup, an oxycarbonyl group, a thioalkyl group, an acyloxy group, anacylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, a sulfonylamino group, asulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, a sulfinyl group, and a ureidogroup.

In Formula (1-1), L¹¹ and L¹² each independently represent a single bondor a divalent linking group containing no azo group.

Here, examples of the divalent linking group include —O—, —S—, —COO—,—OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —NR^(N)CO—, —CONR^(N)—, an alkylene group, and adivalent group formed by combining two or more of these groups. Further,R^(N) represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.

In Formula (1-1), Y represents an amino group, a —OCO—CH═CH— group, or a—CH═CH—CO₂— group.

In Formula (1-1), m1 and m2 each independently represent an integer of 1to 3.

Here, m1+m2 is preferably an integer of 2 to 5 and more preferably aninteger of 2 to 4.

B in Formula (1) will be described.

B represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkylgroup, an alkoxy group, an amino group, an oxycarbonyl group, analkoxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a (poly)alkyleneoxy group, anacylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, a sulfonylamino group, asulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, a sulfonylgroup, a sulfinyl group, or a ureido group.

Among these, from the viewpoint of adjusting the phase transitiontemperature and from the viewpoint of the solubility, a cyano group, analkyl group, an alkoxy group, an oxycarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonylgroup, a (poly)alkyleneoxy group, or an alkylthio group is preferable,and an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a (poly)alkyleneoxy group ismore preferable.

Further, among the examples as B, the alkyl group and the like otherthan the hydrogen atom, the halogen atom, and the cyano group haspreferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms and more preferably 1 to 11 carbon atomsfrom the viewpoint of adjusting the phase transition temperature andfrom the viewpoint of the solubility.

A case where B in Formula (1) represents a crosslinkable group will bedescribed.

Examples of the crosslinkable group include the polymerizable groupsdescribed in paragraphs [0040] to [0050] of JP2010-244038A. Among these,from the viewpoints of the reactivity and the synthetic suitability, aradically polymerizable groups is preferable, an acryloyl group, amethacryloyl group, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, or a styryl groupis more preferable, and an acryloyl group or a methacryloyl group(hereinafter, also referred to as a “(meth)acryloyl group”) is stillmore preferable.

The polymer liquid crystal compound may exhibit nematic or smecticcrystallinity; but it is preferable that the polymer liquid crystalcompound exhibits at least the nematic liquid crystallinity.

The temperature at which the nematic phase is exhibited is preferably ina range of room temperature (23° C.) to 300° C., and more preferably ina range of 50° C. to 200° C. from the viewpoints of handleability andmanufacturing suitability.

Further, in the present invention, the weight-average-molecular weight(Mw) of the polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably in a range of1000 to 100000 and more preferably in a range of 2000 to 60000. Further,the number average molecular weight (Mn) thereof is preferably in arange of 500 to 80000 and more preferably in a range of 1000 to 30000.

Here, the weight-average molecular weight and the number averagemolecular weight in the present invention are values measured accordingto gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

-   -   Solvent (eluent): tetrahydrofuran    -   Equipment name: TOSOH HLC-8220GPC    -   Column: Connect and use three of TOSOH TSKgel Super HZM-H (4.6        mm×15 cm)    -   Column temperature: 25° C.    -   Sample concentration: 0.1% by mass    -   Flow rate: 0.35 ml/min        -   Calibration curve: TSK standard polystyrene (manufactured by            TOSOH Corporation), calibration curves of 7 samples with Mw            of 2800000 to 1050 (Mw/Mn=1.03 to 1.06) are used.

In the present invention, from the viewpoint that the absorption in avisible light region is small and the alignment of the dichroic materialin the visible light region is more likely to be maintained, the maximumabsorption wavelength of the polymer liquid crystal compound ispreferably 380 nm or less.

Further, in the present invention, from the viewpoint of furtherimproving the dichroic ratio of the specific polarizer layer, the numberof benzene rings contained in the mesogen group of the polymer liquidcrystal compound is preferably 3 or more.

Specific examples of the polymer liquid crystal compound having arepeating unit represented by Formula (1) include a polymer liquidcrystal compound represented by any of the following structuralformulae. In the following structural formulae, R represents a hydrogenatom or a methyl group.

(Repeating Unit Represented by Formula (2))

As a more preferable polymer liquid crystal compound in the presentinvention, it is preferable that the liquid crystal composition containsa polymer liquid crystal compound having a repeating unit represented byFormula (2). In Formula (2), a difference between the log P value of P1(hereinafter, also referred to as a “main chain”), L1, and SP1(hereinafter, also referred to as a “spacer group”) and the log P valueof M1 (hereinafter, also referred to as a “mesogen group”) is 4 orgreater.

A specific polarizer layer with a high degree of alignment can be formedby using the above-described polymer liquid crystal compound. Thedetails of the reason for this are not clear, but it is assumed asfollows.

The log P value is an index expressing the hydrophilicity and thehydrophobicity of a chemical structure. The repeating unit representedby Formula. (2) is in a state in which the compatibility between themesogen group and the structure from the main chain to the spacer groupis low because the log P value of the main chain, L1, and the spacergroup and the log value of the mesogen group are separated by apredetermined value or greater. In this manner, it is assumed that sincethe crystallinity of the polymer liquid crystal compound increases, thedegree of alignment of the polymer liquid crystal compound increases. Asdescribed above, it is assumed that in a case where the degree ofalignment of the polymer liquid crystal compound is high, thecompatibility between the polymer liquid crystal compound and thedichroic material is decreased (that is, the crystallinity of thedichroic material is improved), and thus the degree of alignment of thedichroic material is improved. As a result, the degree of alignment ofthe specific polarizer layer to be obtained is considered to increase.

The preferable polymer liquid crystal compound in the present inventionhas a repeating unit represented by Formula (2) (in the presentspecification, also referred to as a “repeating unit (2)”). Further, inthe repeating unit (2), the difference between the log P value of P1,L1, and SP1 and the log P value of M1 is 4 or greater.

In Formula (2), P1 represents the main chain of the repeating unit, L1represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, SP1 represents aspacer group, M1 represents a mesogen group, and T1 represents aterminal group.

Here, in a case where M1 contains a linking group, M1 does not containan azo group as the linking group.

Specific examples of the main chain of the repeating unit represented byP1 include groups represented by Formulae (P1-A) to (P1-D). Among these,from the viewpoints of diversity and handleability of a monomer servingas a raw material, a group represented by Formula (P1-A) is preferable.

in Formulae (P1-A) to (P1-D), “*” represents a bonding position withrespect to L1 in Formula (2).

In Formulae (P1-A) to (P1-D), R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ each independentlyrepresent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The alkylgroup may be a linear or branched alkyl group or an alkyl group having acyclic structure (cycloalkyl group). Further, the number of carbon atomsof the alkyl group is preferably in a range of 1 to 5.

It is preferable that the group represented by Formula (P1-A) is a unitof a partial structure of poly(meth)acrylic acid ester obtained bypolymerization of (meth)acrylic acid ester.

It is preferable that the group represented by Formula (P1-B) is anethylene glycol unit formed by ring-opening polymerization of an epoxygroup of a compound containing the epoxy group.

It is preferable that the group represented by Formula (P1-C) is apropylene glycol unit formed by ring-opening polymerization of anoxetane group of a compound containing the oxetane group.

It is preferable that the group represented by Formula, (P1-D) is asiloxane unit of a polysiloxane obtained by polycondensation of acompound containing at least one of an alkoxysilyl group or a silanolgroup. Here, examples of the compound containing at least one of analkoxysilyl group or a silanol group include a compound containing agroup represented by Formula SiR⁴(OR⁵)₂—. In the formula, R⁴ has thesame definition as that for R⁴ in (P1-D), and a plurality of R⁵'s eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10carbon atoms.

L¹ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.

Examples of the divalent linking group represented by L1 include—C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —O—, —S—, —C(O)NR³—, —NR³C(O)—, —SO₂—, and —NR³R⁴—. Inthe formulae, R³ and R⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom oran alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have a substituent.

In a case where P1 represents a group represented by Formula (P1-A), itis preferable that L1 represents a group represented by —C(O)O—.

In a case where P1 represents a group represented by any of Formulae(P1-B) to (P1-1)), it is preferable that L1 represents a single bond.

From the viewpoints of easily exhibiting liquid crystallinity and theavailability of raw materials, it is preferable that the spacer grouprepresented by SP1 has at least one structure selected from the groupconsisting of an oxyethylene structure, an oxypropylene structure, apolysiloxane structure, and an alkylene fluoride structure.

Here, as the oxyethylene structure represented by SP1, a grouprepresented by *—(CH₂—CH₂O)_(n1)—* is preferable. In the formula, n1represents an integer of 1 to 20, and “*” represents a bonding positionwith respect to L1 or M1.

Here, a group represented by *—(CH(CH₃)—CH₂O)_(n2)—* is preferable asthe oxypropylene structure represented by SP1. In the formula, n2represents an integer of 1 to 3, and “*” represents a bonding positionwith respect to L1 or M1.

Further, a group represented by *—(Si(CH₃)₂—O)_(n3)—* is preferable asthe polysiloxane structure represented by SP1 the formula, n3 representsan integer of 6 to 10, and “*” represents a bonding position withrespect to L1 or M1.

Further, a group represented by *—(CF₂—CF₂)_(n4)—* is preferable as thealkylene fluoride structure represented by SP1. In the formula, n4represents an integer of 6 to 10, and “*” represents a bonding positionwith respect to L1 or M1.

The mesogen group represented by M1 is a group showing a main skeletonof a liquid crystal molecule that contributes to liquid crystalformation. A liquid crystal molecule exhibits liquid crystallinity whichis in an intermediate state (mesophase) between a crystal state and anisotropic liquid state. The mesogen group is not particularly limitedand for example, particularly description on pages 7 to 16 of“FlussigeKristalle in Tabellen II” (VEB Deutsche Verlag fur GrundstoffIndustrie, Leipzig, 1984) and particularly the description in Chapter 3of “Liquid Crystal Handbook” (Maruzen, 2000) edited by Liquid CrystalsHandbook Editing Committee can be referred to.

As the mesogen group, for example, a group having at least one cyclicstructure selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydrocarbongroup, a heterocyclic group, and an alicyclic group is preferable.

As the mesogen group, a group represented by Formula (M1-A) or Formula(M1-B) is preferable from the viewpoints of exhibiting the liquidcrystallinity, adjusting the liquid crystal phase transitiontemperature, and the availability of raw materials and syntheticsuitability.

hi Formula (M1-A), A1 represents a divalent group selected from thegroup consisting of an aromatic hydrocarbon group, a heterocyclic group,and an alicyclic group. These groups may be substituted with asubstituent such as an alkyl group, a fluorinated alkyl group, or analkoxy group.

It is preferable that the divalent group represented by A1 is a 4- to6-membered ring. Further, the divalent group represented by A1 may be amonocycle or a fused ring.

Further, “*” represents a bonding position with respect to SP1 or T1.

Examples of the divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group represented by A1include a phenylene group, a naphthylene group, a fluorene-diyl group,an anthracene-diyl group, and a tetracene-diyl group. From theviewpoints of design diversity of a mesogenic skeleton and theavailability of raw materials, a phenylene group or a naphthylene groupis preferable, and a phenylene group is more preferable.

The divalent heterocyclic group represented by A1 may be any of aromaticor non-aromatic, but a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group ispreferable as the divalent heterocyclic group from the viewpoint offurther improving the degree of alignment.

The atoms other than carbon constituting the divalent aromaticheterocyclic group include a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, and an oxygenatom. In a case where the aromatic heterocyclic group has a plurality ofatoms constituting a ring other than carbon, these may be the same as ordifferent from each other.

Specific examples of the divalent aromatic heterocyclic group include apyridylene group (pyridine-diyl group), a pyridazine-diyl group, animidazole-diyl group, a thienylene group (thiophene-diyl group), aquinolylene group (quinoline-diyl group), an isoquinolylene group(isoquinoline-diyl group), an oxazole-diyl group, a thiazole-diyl group,an oxadiazole-diyl group, a benzothiazole-diyl group, abenzothiadiazole-diyl group, a phthalimido-diyl group, athienothiazole-diyl group, a thiazolothiazole-diyl group, athienothiophene-diyl group, and a thienooxazole-diyl group.

Specific examples of the divalent alicyclic group represented by A1include a cyclopentylene group and a cyclohexylene group.

In Formula (M1-A), a1 represents an integer of 1 to 10. In a ease wherea1 represents 2 or greater, a plurality of A1's may be the same as ordifferent from each other.

In Formula (M1-B), A2 and A3 each independently represent a divalentgroup selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydrocarbongroup, a heterocyclic group, and an alicyclic group. Specific examplesand preferred embodiments of A2 and A3 are the same as those for A1 inFormula (M1-A), and thus description thereof will not be repeated.

In Formula (M1-B), a2 represents an integer of 1 to 10. In a case wherea2 represents 2 or greater, a plurality of A2's may be the same as ordifferent from each other, a plurality of A3's may be the same as ordifferent from each other, and a plurality of LA1's may be the same asor different from each other.

In Formula (M1-B), in a case where a2 represents 1, LA1 represents adivalent liming group. In a case where a2 represents 2 or greater, aplurality of LA1's each independently represent a single bond or adivalent linking group, and at least one of the plurality of LA1's is adivalent linking group.

In Formula (M1-B), examples of the divalent linking group represented byLA1 include —O—, —(CH₂)_(g)—, —(CF₂)_(g)—, —Si(CH₃)₂—,—(Si(CH₃)₂O)_(g)—, —(OSi(CH₃)₂)_(g)— (g represents an integer of 1 to10), —N(Z)—, —C(Z)═C(Z′)—, —C(Z)═N—, —N═C(Z)—, —C(Z)₂—C(Z′)₂—, —C(O)—,—OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —O—C(O)O—, —N(Z)C(O)—, —C(O)N(Z)—, —C(Z)═C(Z′)—C(O)O—,—O—C(O)—C(Z)═C(Z′)—, —C(Z)═N—, —N═C(Z)—, —C(Z)═C(Z′)—C(O)N(Z″)—,—N(Z″)—C(O)—C(Z)═C(Z′)—, —C(Z)═C(Z²)—C(O)—S—, —S—C(O)—C(Z)═C(Z′)—(Z, Z′,and Z″ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl grouphaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a cyanogroup, or a halogen atom), —C≡C—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O)(O)—, —(O)S(O)O—,—O(O)S(O)O—, —SC(O)—, and —C(O)S—. LA1 may represent a group obtained bycombining two or more of these groups.

Further, in a case where the divalent linking group represented by LA1contains an azo group, the absorption in the visible light region ishigh, which is not preferable.

Specific examples of M1 include the following structures. In thefollowing specific examples, “Ac” represents an acetyl group.

Examples of the terminal group represented by T1 include a hydrogenatom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxy group, analkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, anoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group having 1to 10 carbon atoms, an acylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, analkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonylaminogroup having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfonylamino group having 1 to 10carbon atoms, a sulfamoyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a carbamoylgroup having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfinyl group having 1 to 10carbon atoms, and a ureido group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Theseterminal groups may be further substituted with these groups or thepolymerizable groups described in JP2010-244038A.

The number of atoms in the main chain of T1 is preferably in a range of1 to 20, more preferably in a range of 1 to 15, still more preferably ina range of 1 to 10, and particularly preferably in a range of 1 to 7. Ina case where the number of atoms in the main chain of T1 is 20 or less,the degree of alignment of the specific polarizer layer is furtherimproved. Here, the “main chain” in T1 indicates the longest molecularchain bonded to M1, and the number of hydrogen atoms is not included inthe number of atoms in the main chain of T1. For example, the number ofatoms in the main chain is 4 in a ease where T1 represents an n-butylgroup, the number of atoms in the main chain is 3 in a case where T1represents a sec-butyl group.

The content of the repeating unit (2) is preferably in a range of 20% to100% by mass, more preferably in a range of 30% to 99.9% by mass, andstill more preferably in a range of 40% to 99.0% by mass with respect to100% by mass of all the repeating units of the polymer liquid crystalcompound.

In the present invention, the content of each repeating unit containedin the polymer liquid crystal compound is calculated based on thecharged amount (mass) of each monomer used for obtaining each repeatingunit.

The polymer liquid crystal compound may have only one or two or morekinds of repeating units (2). In a case where the polymer liquid crystalcompound has two or more kinds of repeating units (2), there is anadvantage in that the solubility of the polymer liquid crystal compoundin a solvent is improved and the liquid crystal phase transitiontemperature is easily adjusted. In a case where the polymer liquidcrystal compound has two or more kinds of repeating units (2), it ispreferable that the total amount thereof is in the above-describedrange.

In the case where the polymer liquid crystal compound has two or morekinds of repeating units (2), a repeating unit (2) that does not containa polymerizable group in T1 and a repeating unit (2) that contains apolymerizable group in T1 may be used in combination. In this manner,the curability of the specific polarizer layer is further improved.

In this case, the ratio (repeating unit (2) containing polymerizablegroup in T1/repeating unit (2) containing no polymerizable group in T1)of the repeating unit (2) containing a polymerizable group in T1 to therepeating unit (2) containing no polymerizable group in T1 in thepolymer liquid crystal compound is preferably in a range of 0.005 to 4and more preferably in a range of 0.01 to 2.4 in terms of mass ratio. Ina case where the mass ratio thereof is 4 or less, there is an advantagethat the degree of alignment is excellent. In a case where the massratio thereof is 0.05 or greater, the curability of the specificpolarizer layer is further improved.

In Formula (2), a difference (|log P₁−log P₂|) between the log P valueof P1, L1, and SP1 (hereinafter, also referred to as “log P₁”) and thelog P value of M1 (hereinafter, also referred to as “log P₂”) is 4 orgreater. Further, from the viewpoint of further improving the degree ofalignment of the specific polarizer layer, the difference thereof ispreferably 4.25 or greater and more preferably 4.5 or greater.

Further, from the viewpoints of adjusting the liquid crystal phasetransition temperature and the synthetic suitability, the upper limit ofthe difference is preferably 15 or less, more preferably 12 or less, andstill more preferably 10 or less.

Here, the log P value is an index for expressing the properties of thehydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of a chemical structure and is alsoreferred to as a hydrophilic-hydrophobic parameter. The log P value canbe calculated using software such as ChemBioDrawUltra or HSPiP (Ver.4.1.07). Further, the IogP value can be acquired experimentally by themethod of the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Sections 1,Test No. 117 or the like. In the present invention, a value calculatedby inputting the structural formula of a compound to HSPiP (Ver. 4.1.07)is employed as the log P value unless otherwise specified.

The log P₁ indicates the log P value of P1, L1, and SP1 as describedabove. The “log P value of P1, L1, and SP1” indicates the log P value ofa structure in which P1, L1, and SP1 are integrated and is not the sumof the log P values of P1, L1, and SP1. Specifically, the log P₁ iscalculated by inputting a series of structural formulae of P1 to SP1 inFormula (1) into the above-described software.

In the calculation of the log P₁, in regard to the part of the grouprepresented by P1 in the series of structural formulae of P1 to SP1, thestructure of the group itself represented by P1 (for example, Formulae(P1-A) to (P1-D) described above) may be used or a structure of a groupthat can be P1 after polymerization of a monomer used to obtain therepeating unit represented by Formula (2) may be used.

Here, specific examples of the latter (the group that can be P1) are asfollows. In a case where P1 is obtained by polymerization of(meth)acrylic acid ester, P1 represents a group represented byCH₂═C(R¹)— (R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group). Further,P1 represents ethylene glycol in a case where P1 is obtained bypolymerization of ethylene glycol, and P1 represents propylene glycol ina case where P1 is obtained by polymerization of propylene glycol.Further, in a case where P1 is obtained by polycondensation silanol, P1represents silanol (a compound represented by Formula Si(R²)₃(OH), and aplurality of R²'s each independently represent a hydrogen atom or analkyl group, where at least one of the plurality of R²'s represents analkyl group).

The log P₁ may be smaller than the log P₂ or greater than the log P₂ ina case where the difference between log P₁ and log P2 described above is4 or greater.

Here, the log P value of a general mesogen group (the log P₂ describedabove) tends to be in a range of 4 to 6. In a case where the log P₁ issmaller than the log P₂, the value of log P₁ is preferably 1 or less andmore preferably 0 or less. Further, in a case where the log P₁ isgreater than the log P₂, the value of log P₁ is preferably 8 or greaterand more preferably 9 or greater.

In a case where P1 in Formula (2) is obtained by polymerization of(meth)acrylic acid ester and the log P₁ is smaller than the log P₂, thelog P value of SP1 in Formula (2) is preferably 0.7 or less and morepreferably 0.5 or less. Further, in a case where P1 in Formula (2) isobtained by polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid ester and the log P₁ isgreater than the log P₂, the log P value of SP1 in Formula (2) ispreferably 3.7 or greater and more preferably 4.2 or greater.

Further, examples of the structure having a log P value of 1 or lessinclude an oxyethylene structure and an oxypropylene structure. Examplesof the structure having a log P value of 6 or greater include apolysiloxane structure and an alkylene fluoride structure.

(Repeating Unit Represented by Formula (3))

From the viewpoint of improving the film hardness of the specificpolarizer layer and strengthening adhesion between the specificpolarizer layer and the photo-alignment layer, it is preferable that thepolymer liquid crystal compound used in the present invention has arepeating unit (3) represented by Formula (3) in addition to therepeating unit (2) represented by Formula (2).

In Formula (3), P2 represents the main chain of the repeating unit.

In Formula (3), L2 represents a single bond, a divalent alicyclic groupwhich may have a substituent, or a divalent aromatic group which mayhave a substituent.

In Formula (3), SP2 represents an alkylene group having 10 or more atomsin the main chain. Here, one or more of —CH₂— constituting the alkylenegroup represented by SP2 may be substituted with at least one group(hereinafter, also referred to as a “group 2C”) selected from the groupconsisting of —O—, —S—, —N(R²¹)—, —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, —C(R²²)═C(R²³)—, analkynylene group, —Si(R²⁴)(R²⁵)—, —N═N—, —C(R²⁶)═N—N═C(R²⁷)—,—C(R²⁸)═N—, and —S(═O)₂—, and R²¹ to R²⁸ each independently represent ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, or a linearor branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Further, thehydrogen atoms contained in one or more of constituting the alkylenegroup represented by SP2 may be substituted with at least one group(hereinafter, also referred to as a “group 2H”) selected from the groupconsisting of a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxylgroup, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and a branchedalkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

In Formula (3), T2 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, ahydroxyl group, a carboxy group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoricacid group, a boronic acid group, an amino group, a cyano group, a nitrogroup, a vinyl group, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, anepoxy group, an oxetanyl group which may have a substituent, a phenylgroup which may have a substituent, or a maleimide group which may havea substituent.

Specific examples and preferred embodiments of P2 are the same as thosefor P1 in Formula (2), and thus description thereof will not berepeated.

Specific examples of the divalent alicyclic group which may have asubstituent represented by L2 are the same as those for the divalentalicyclic group described in the section of A1 in Formula (M1-A), andthus the description thereof will not be repeated. Further, examples ofthe substituent include the substituent. W described below. Among theexamples, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, an alkyl group, a cyanogroup, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, an alkoxy group, a nitro group,an acyloxy group, an amino group, a mercapto group, an alkylthio group,an alkylsulfonyl group, an alkylsulfonylamino group, a satin) group, analkylsulfinyl group, an epoxycycloalkyl group, or an alkoxycarbonylgroup is preferable.

Examples of the divalent aromatic group which may have a substituentrepresented by L2 include a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group and adivalent aromatic heterocyclic group. Specific examples and preferredembodiments of the divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group are the same asthose for the divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group described in thesection of A1 in Formula (M1-A), and thus the description thereof willnot be repeated. Further, specific examples and preferred embodiments ofthe divalent aromatic heterocyclic group are the same as those for thedivalent aromatic heterocyclic group described in the section of A1 inFormula (M1-A), and thus the description thereof will not be repeated.Further, examples of the substituent include the substituent W describedbelow. Among the examples, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, an alkylgroup, a cyano group, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, an alkoxy group,a nitro group, an acyloxy group, an amino group, a mercapto group, analkylthio group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an alkylsulfonylamino group, asulfo group, an alkylsulfinyl group, or an alkoxycarbonyl group ispreferable.

From the viewpoint of further exhibiting the effects of the presentinvention, it is preferable that L2 represents a single bond.

SP2 represents an alkylene group having 10 or more atoms in the mainchain, one or more of —CH₂— constituting the alkylene group may besubstituted with the “group 2C” described above, and the hydrogen atomscontained in one or more of —CH₂— constituting the alkylene group may besubstituted with the “group 2H” described above.

The number of atoms in the main chain of SP2 is 10 or greater, and fromthe viewpoint of obtaining a specific polarizer layer with moreexcellent adhesiveness and planar uniformity, the number thereof ispreferably 15 or greater and more preferably 19 or greater. Further,from the viewpoint of obtaining a specific polarizer layer with a moreexcellent degree of alignment, the upper limit of the number of atoms inthe main chain of SP2 is preferably 70 or less, more preferably 60 orless, and particularly preferably 50 or less.

Here, the “main chain” in SP2 indicates a partial structure required fordirectly linking L2 and T2 to each other, and the “number of atoms inthe main chain” indicates the number of atoms constituting the partialstructure. In other words, the “main chain” in SP2 is a partialstructure in which the number of atoms linking L2 and T2 to each otheris the smallest. For example, the number of atoms in the main chain in acase where SP2 represents a 3,7-dimethyldecanal group is 10, and thenumber of atoms in the main chain in a case where SP2 represents a4,6-dimethyldodecanyl group is 12. Further, in Formula (24), the insideof the frame shown by the dotted quadrangle corresponds to SP2, and thenumber of atoms in the main chain of SP2 (corresponding to the totalnumber of atoms circled by the dotted line) 11.

The alkylene group represented by SP2 may be linear or branched.

From the viewpoint of obtaining a specific polarizer layer with a moreexcellent degree of alignment, the number of carbon atoms of thealkylene group represented by SP2 is preferably in a range of 8 to 80,more preferably in a range of 15 to 80, still more preferably in a rangeof 25 to 70, and particularly preferably in a range of 25 to 60.

From the viewpoint of obtaining a specific polarizer layer with moreexcellent adhesiveness and planar uniformity; it is preferable that oneor more of —CH₂— constituting the alkylene group represented by SP2 aresubstituted with the “group 2C” described above.

Further, in a case where a plurality of —CH₂— constituting the alkylenegroup represented by SP2 are present, it is more preferable that onlysome of the plurality of —CH₂— are substituted with the “group 2C”described above from the viewpoint of obtaining a specific polarizerlayer with more excellent adhesiveness and planar uniformity.

As described above, the group 2C is at least one group selected from thegroup consisting of —O—, —S—, —N(R²¹)—, —C(═O)—, —C(R²²)═C(R²³)—, analkynylene group, —Si(R²⁴)(R²⁵)—, —N═N—, —C(R²⁶)═N—N═C(R²⁷)—,—C(R²⁸)═N—, and —S(═O)₂—, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a specificpolarizer layer with more excellent adhesiveness and planar uniformity,at least one group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —N(R²¹)—,—C(═O)—, and —S(═O)₂— is preferable, and at least one group selectedfrom the group consisting of —O—, —N(R²¹)—, and —C(═O)— is morepreferable.

Particularly, it is preferable that SP2 represents a group having atleast one selected from the group consisting of an oxyalkylene structurein which one or more of —CH₂— constituting an alkylene group aresubstituted with —O—, an ester structure in which one or more of—CH₂—CH₂— constituting an alkylene group are substituted with —O— and—C(═O)—, and a urethane bond in which one or more of —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—constituting an alkylene group are substituted with —O—, —C(═O)—, and—NH—.

The hydrogen atoms contained in one or more of —CH₂— constituting thealkylene group represented by SP2 may be substituted with the “group 2H”described above. In this ease, one or more hydrogen atoms contained in—CH₂— may be substituted with the “group 2H”. That is, only one hydrogenatom contained in —CH₂— may be substituted with the “group 2H” or all(two) hydrogen atoms contained in —CH₂— may be substituted with the“group 2H”.

As described above, the “group 2H” is at least one group selected fromthe group consisting of a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, ahydroxyl group, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and abranched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably at leastone group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, alinear alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and a branched alkylgroup having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and more preferably a hydroxyl group.

As described above, T2 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, ahydroxyl group, a carboxy group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoricacid group, a boronic acid group, an amino group, a cyano group, a nitrogroup, a vinyl group, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, anepoxy group, an oxetanyl group, or a maleimide group.

Among these, T2 represents preferably a hydroxyl group, a carboxy group,a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a boronic acid group, anamino group, a cyano group, a nitro group, a vinyl group, an acryloyloxygroup, a methacryloyloxy group, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, or amaleimide group from the viewpoint of improving the adhesiveness bycrosslinking and/or the interaction with the base layer (for example,the base material or the alignment layer) and and more preferably avinyl group, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, an epoxygroup, an oxetanyl group, or a maleimide group from the viewpoint offurther improving the adhesiveness as a result of further suppression ofthe aggregation failure of the specific polarizer layer due to thecrosslinking of the specific polarizer layer itself.

In a case where the repeating unit (3) contains a crosslinkable group asdescribed above, the ratio of the mass of the repeating unit (3) to thetotal mass of the polymer liquid crystals is preferably in a range of 5%to 30% and more preferably in a range of 8% to 20%.

Specific examples of the repeating unit (3) include the followingstructures. Further, in the following specific examples, n1 representsan integer of 2 or greater, and n2 represents an integer of 1 orgreater.

<Dichroic Material>

The liquid crystal composition used for forming the specific polarizerlayer contains a dichroic material.

The dichroic material is not particularly limited, and examples thereofinclude a visible light absorbing material (dichroic dye), a lightemitting material (such as a fluorescent material or a phosphorescentmaterial), an ultraviolet absorbing material, an infrared absorbingmaterial, a non-linear optical material, a carbon nanotube, and aninorganic material (for example, a quantum rod). Further, known dichroicmaterials (dichroic dyes) of the related art can be used.

Specific examples thereof include those described in paragraphs [0067]to [0071] of JP2.013-228706A, paragraphs [0008] to [0026] ofJP2013-227532A, paragraphs [0008] to of JP2013-209367A, paragraphs[0045] to [0058] of JP2013-14883A, paragraphs to [0029] of22013-109090A, paragraphs [0009] to [0017] of JP2013-101328A, paragraphs[0051] to [0065] of JP2013-37353A, paragraphs [0049] to [0073] ofJP2012-63387A, paragraphs [0016] to [0018] of JP1999-305036A(JP-1111-305036A), paragraphs [0009] to [0011] of JP2001-133630A,paragraphs [0030] to [0169] of JP2011-215337A, paragraphs [0021] to[0075] of JP2010-106242A, paragraphs [0011] to [0025] of JP2010-215846A,paragraphs [0017] to [0069] of JP2011-048311A, paragraphs [0013] to[0133] of JP2011-213610A, paragraphs [0074] to [0246] of JP2011-237513A,paragraphs [0005] to [0051] of JP2016-006502, paragraphs [0005] to[0041] of WO2016/060173A, paragraphs [0008] to [0062] of WO2016/136561A,paragraphs [0014] to [0033] of WO2017/154835A, paragraphs [0014] to[0033] of WO2017/154695A, paragraphs [0013] to [0037] of WO2017/195833A,and paragraphs [0014] to [0034] of WO2018/164252A.

In the present invention, two or more kinds of dichroic materials may beused in combination. For example, from the viewpoint of making the colorof the specific polarizer layer closer to black, it is preferable thatat least one dye compound (first dichroic material) having a maximalabsorption wavelength in a wavelength range of 370 to 550 run and atleast one dye compound (second dichroic material) having a maximalabsorption wavelength in a wavelength range of 500 to 700 nm are used incombination.

In the present invention, from the viewpoint of further enhancingpressing resistance, it is preferable that the dichroic materialcontains a crosslinkable group.

Specific examples of the crosslinkable group include a (meth)acryloylgroup, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, and a styryl group. Amongthese, a (meth)acryloyl group is preferable.

In the present invention, from the viewpoint of enhancing the balancebetween the degree of alignment and the uniformity of the specificpolarizer layer, the content of the dichroic material contained in theliquid crystal Composition is preferably in a range of 2% to 35% bymass, more preferably in a range of 5% to 25% by mass, still morepreferably in a range of 5% to 20% by mass, and particularly preferablyin a range of 10% to 15% by mass in terms of the solid content ratio.

(Specific Dichroic Dye Compound)

It is preferable that the liquid crystal composition contains a dichroicmaterial represented by Formula (4) (hereinafter, also referred to as a“specific dichroic dye compound”).

Here, in Formula (4), A¹, A², and A³ each independently represent adivalent aromatic group which may have a substituent.

Further, in Formula (4), L¹ and L² each independently represent asubstituent.

Further, in Formula (4), m represents an integer of 1 to 4, and in acase where in represents an integer of 2 to 4, a plurality of A²'s maybe the same as or different from each other. Further, it is preferablethat m represents 1 or 2.

The “divalent aromatic group which may have a substituent” representedby A¹, A², and A³ in Formula (4) will be described.

Examples of the substituent include a substituent group G described inparagraphs [0237] to [0240] of JP2011-237513A. Among these, a halogenatom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group (such asmethoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl), and an aryloxycarbonyl group (suchas phenoxycarbonyl, 4-methylphenoxycarbonyl, or 4-methoxyphenylcarbonyl)are suitable, an alkyl group is more suitable, and an alkyl group having1 to 5 carbon atoms is still more suitable.

In addition, examples of the divalent aromatic group include a divalentaromatic hydrocarbon group and a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group.

Examples of the divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group include an arylenegroup having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and specific examples thereof includea phenylene group, a cumenylene group, a mesitylene group, a tolylenegroup, and a xylylene group. Among these, a phenylene group ispreferable.

Further, as the divalent aromatic heterocyclic group, a group derivedfrom a monocyclic or bicyclic heterocycle is preferable. The atoms otherthan carbon constituting the aromatic heterocyclic group include anitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, and an oxygen atom. In a case where thearomatic heterocyclic group has a plurality of atoms constituting a ringother than carbon, these may be the same as or different from eachother. Specific examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group include apyridylene group (pyridine-diyl group), a quinolylene group(quinoline-diyl group), an isoquinolylene group (isoquinoline-diylgroup), a benzothiadiazole-diyl group, a phthalimido-diyl group, and athienothiazole-diyl group (hereinafter, also referred to as a“thienothiazole group”).

Among the above-described divalent aromatic groups, a divalent aromatichydrocarbon group is preferable.

Here, it is also preferable that any one of A¹, A², or A³ represents adivalent thienothiazole group which may have a substituent. Further,specific examples of the substituent of the divalent thienothiazolegroup are the same as the substituents of the “divalent aromatic groupwhich may have a substituent” described above, and the preferredembodiments are also the same as described above.

Further, it is more preferable that A² among A¹, A², and A³ represents adivalent thienothiazole group. In this case, A¹ and A² represent adivalent aromatic group which may have a substituent.

In a case where A¹ represents a divalent thienothiazole group, it ispreferable that at least one of A¹ or A² represents a divalent aromatichydrocarbon group which may have a substituent and more preferable thatboth A¹ and A² represent a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group which mayhave a substituent.

The “substituent” represented by L¹ and L² in Formula (4) will bedescribed.

As the substituent, a group to be introduced to increase the solubilityor the nematic liquid crystallinity, a group having an electron-donatingproperty or an electron-withdrawing property which is to be introducedto adjust the color tone of a coloring agent, or a group containing acrosslinkable group (polymerizable group) to be introduced to fix thealignment is preferable.

Examples of the substituent include an alkyl group (preferably an alkylgroup having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having1 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkyl group having1 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof a methyl group, an ethylgroup, an isopropyl group, a tert-butyl group, an n-octyl group, ann-decyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentylgroup, and a cyclohexyl group), an alkenyl group (preferably an alkenylgroup having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkenyl grouphaving 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkenylgroup having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a vinylgroup, an aryl group, a 2-butenyl group, and a 3-pentenyl group), analkynyl group (preferably an alkynyl group having 2 to 2.0 carbon atoms,more preferably an alkynyl group 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably an alkynyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examplesthereof include a propargyl group and a 3-pentynyl group), an aryl group(preferably an aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferablyan aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferablyan aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof includea phenyl group, a 2,6-diethylphenyl group, a 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenylgroup, a styryl group, a naphthyl group, and a biphenyl group), asubstituted or unsubstituted amino group (preferably an amino grouphaving 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an amino group having 0 to10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an amino group having 0 to6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an unsubstituted aminogroup, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group,and an anilino group), an alkoxy group (preferably an alkoxy grouphaving 1 to 20 carbon atoms and more preferably an alkoxy group having 1to 15 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxy group, anethoxy group, and a butoxy group), an oxycarbonyl group (preferably anoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably anoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably an oxycarbonyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonylgroup, and a phenoxycarbonyl group), an acyloxy group (preferably anacyloxy group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an acyloxygroup having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably anacyloxy group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof includean acetoxy group, a benzoyloxy group, an acryoyl group, and amethacryloyl group), an acylamino group (preferably an acylamino grouphaving 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an acylamino group having 2to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an acylamino grouphaving 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an acetylaminogroup and a benzoylamino group), an alkoxycarbonylamino group(preferably an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 2 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 2to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxycarbonylaminogroup), an aryloxycarbonylamino group (preferably anaryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferablyan aryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 16 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably an aryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 12carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a phenyloxycarbonylaminogroup), a sulfonylamino group (Preferably a sulfonylamino group having 1to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably a sulfonylamino group having 1 to 10carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a sulfonylamino group having 1to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methanesulfonylaminogroup and a benzenesulfonylamino group), a sulfamoyl group (preferably asulfamoyl group having 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably a sulfamoylgroup having 0 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably asulfamoyl group having 0 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof includean unsubstituted sulfamoyl group, a methylsulfamoyl group, adimethylsulfamoyl group, and a phenylsulfamoyl group), a carbamoyl group(preferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,and examples thereof include an unsubstituted carbamoyl group, amethylcarbamoyl group, a diethylcarbamoyl group, and a phenylcarbamoylgroup), an alkylthio group (preferably an alkylthio group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylthio group having 1 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably an alkylthio group having 1 to 6carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methylthio group and anethylthio group), an arylthio group (preferably an arylthio group having6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an arylthio group having 6 to 16carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an arylthio group having 6 to12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a phenylthio group), asulfonyl group (preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a mesyl group and a tosyl group), a sulfinylgroup (preferably a sulfinyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably a sulfinyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a sulfinyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a methanesulfinyl group and a benzenesulfinylgroup), a ureido group (preferably a ureido group having 1 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably a ureido group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a ureido group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include an unsubstituted ureido group, a methylureidogroup, and a phenylureido group), a phosphoric acid amide group(preferably a phosphoric acid amide group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably a phosphoric acid amide group having 1 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably a phosphoric acid amide group having1 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a diethylphosphoricacid amide group and a phenylphosphoric acid amide group), a hydroxygroup, a mercapto group, a halogen atom (such as a fluorine atom, achlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom), a cyano group, anitro group, a hydroxamic acid group, a sulfinol group, a hydrazinogroup, an imino group, an azo group, a heterocyclic group (preferably aheterocyclic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms and more preferably aheterocyclic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereofinclude a heterocyclic group having a heteroatom such as a nitrogenatom, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom, and examples of the heterocyclicgroup having a heteroatom include an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, animidazolyl group, a pyridyl group, a quinolyl group, a furyl group, apiperidyl group, a morpholino group, a maleimide group, a benzoxazolylgroup, a benzoimidazolyl group, and a benzothiazolyl group), and a silylgroup (preferably a silyl group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms, morepreferably a silyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably a silyl group having 3 to 24 carbon atoms, and examplesthereof include a trimethylsilyl group and a triphenylsilyl group).

These substituents may be further substituted with these substituents.Further, in a case where two or more substituents are present, these maybe the same as or different from each other. Further, these may bebonded to each other to form a ring where possible.

Among these, as the substituent represented by L¹ and L², an alkyl groupwhich may have a substituent, an alkenyl group which may have asubstituent, an alkynyl group which may have a substituent, an arylgroup which may have a substituent, an alkoxy group which may have asubstituent, an oxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent, anacyloxy group which may have a substituent, an acylamino group which mayhave a substituent, an amino group which may have a substituent, analkoxycarbonylamino group which may have a substituent, a sulfonylaminogroup which may have a substituent, a sulfamoyl group which may have asubstituent, a carbamoyl group which may have a substituent, analkylthio group which may have a substituent, a sulfonyl group which mayhave a substituent, a ureido group which may have a substituent, a nitrogroup, a hydroxy group, a cyano group, an imino group, azo group, ahalogen atom, and a heterocyclic group are preferable, and an alkylgroup which may have a substituent, an alkenyl group which may have asubstituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, an alkoxy groupwhich may have a substituent, an oxycarbonyl group which may have asubstituent, an acyloxy group which may have a substituent, an aminogroup which may have a substituent, a nitro group, an imino group, andan azo group are more preferable.

It is preferable that at least one of L¹ or L² contains a crosslinkablegroup (polymerizable group) and more preferable that both L¹ and L²contain a crosslinkable group.

Specific examples of the crosslinkable group include the polymerizablegroups described in paragraphs [0040] to [0050] of JP2010-244038A. Amongthese, from the viewpoint of improving the reactivity and the syntheticsuitability, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an epoxy group, anoxetanyl group, and a styryl group are preferable, and art acryloylgroup and a methacryloyl group are more preferable.

Suitable embodiments of L¹ and L² include an alkyl group substitutedwith the above-described crosslinkable group, a dialkyl amino groupsubstituted with the above-described crosslinkable group, and an alkoxygroup substituted with the above-described crosslinkable group.

(Second Dichroic Dye)

From the viewpoint of achieving a high degree of alignment on a longwavelength side, it is preferable that the liquid crystal compositioncontains a dichroic azo dye represented by Formula (5).

In Formula (5), C¹ and C² each independently represent a monovalentsubstituent. Here, at least one of C¹ or C² represents a crosslinkablegroup.

In Formula (5), M¹ and M² each independently represent a divalentlinking group. Here, the number of atoms in the main chain of at leastone of M¹ or M² is 4 or greater.

Formula (5), Ar¹ and Ar² each independently represent any of a phenylenegroup which may have a substituent, a naphthylene group which may have asubstituent, or a biphenylene group which may have a substituent.

In Formula (5), E represents any of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, ora sulfur atom.

In Formula (5), R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.

In Formula (5), R² represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group whichmay have a substituent.

In Formula (5), n represents 0 or 1. Here, n is 1 in a case where Erepresents a nitrogen atom, and n is 0 in a case where E represents anoxygen atom or a sulfur atom.

In Formula (5), the monovalent substituent represented by C¹ and C² willbe described.

As the monovalent substituent represented by C¹ and C², a group to beintroduced to increase the solubility or the nematic liquidcrystallinity of the azo compound, a group having an electron-donatingproperty or an electron-withdrawing property which is to be introducedto adjust the color tone of a coloring agent, or a crosslinkable group(polymerizable group) to be introduced to fix, the alignment ispreferable.

Examples of the substituent include an alkyl group (preferably an alkylgroup having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having1 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkyl group having1 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof a methyl group, an ethylgroup, an isopropyl group, a tert-butyl group, an n-octyl group, ann-decyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentylgroup, and a cyclohexyl group), an alkenyl group (preferably an alkenylgroup having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkenyl grouphaving 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkenylgroup having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a vinylgroup, an aryl group, a 2-butenyl group, and a 3-pentenyl group), analkynyl group (preferably an alkynyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably an alkynyl group 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably an alkynyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examplesthereof include a propargyl group and a 3-pentynyl group), an aryl group(preferably an aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferablyan aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferablyan aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof includea phenyl group, a 2,6-diethylphenyl group, a 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenylgroup, a styryl group, a naphthyl group, and a biphenyl group), asubstituted or unsubstituted amino group (preferably an amino grouphaving 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an amino group having 0 to10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an amino group having 0 to6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an unsubstituted aminogroup, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group,and an anilino group), an alkoxy group (preferably an alkoxy grouphaving 1 to 20 carbon atoms and more preferably an alkoxy group having 1to 15 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxy group, anethoxy group, and a butoxy group), an oxycarbonyl group (preferably anoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably anoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably an oxycarbonyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonylgroup, and a phenoxycarbonyl group), an acyloxy group (preferably anacyloxy group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an acyloxygroup having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably anacyloxy group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof includean acetoxy group, a benzoyloxy group, an acryloyl group, and amethacryloyl group), an acylamino group (preferably an acylamino grouphaving 2, to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an acylamino group having2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an acylamino grouphaving 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an acetylaminogroup and a benzoylamino group), an alkoxycarbonylamino group(preferably an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 2 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 2to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxycarbonylaminogroup), an aryloxycarbonylamino group (preferably anaryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferablyan aryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 16 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably an aryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 12carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a phenyloxycarbonylaminogroup), a sulfonylamino group (preferably a sulfonylamino group having 1to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably a sulfonylamino group having 1 to 10carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a sulfonylamino group having 1to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methanesulfonylaminogroup and a benzenesulfonylamino group), a sulfamoyl group (preferably asulfamoyl group having 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably a sulfamoylgroup having 0 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably asulfamoyl group having to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof includean unsubstituted sulfamoyl group, a methylsulfamoyl group, adimethylsulfamoyl group, and a phenylsulfamoyl group), a carbamoyl group(preferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,and examples thereof include an unsubstituted carbamoyl group, amethylcarbamoyl group, a diethylcarbamoyl group, and a phenylcarbamoylgroup), an alkylthio group (preferably an alkylthio group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylthio group having 1 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably an alkylthio group having 1 to 6carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methylthio group and anethylthio group), an arylthio group (preferably an arylthio group having6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an arylthio group having 6 to 16carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an arylthio group having 6 to12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a phenylthio group), asulfonyl group (preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a mesyl group and a tosyl group), a sulfinylgroup (preferably a sulfinyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably a sulfinyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a sulfinyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a methanesulfinyl group and a benzenesulfinylgroup), a ureido group (preferably a ureido group having 1 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably a ureido group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a ureido group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include an unsubstituted ureido group, a methylureidogroup, and a phenylureido group), a phosphoric acid amide group(preferably a phosphoric acid amide group, having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably a phosphoric acid amide group having 1 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably a phosphoric acid amide group having1 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a diethylphosphoricacid amide group and a phenylphosphoric acid amide group), a hydroxygroup, a mercapto group, a halogen atom (such as a fluorine atom, achlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom), a cyano group, anitro group, a hydroxamic acid group, a sulfino group, a hydrazinegroup, an imino group, an azo group, a heterocyclic group (preferably aheterocyclic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms and more preferably aheterocyclic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereofinclude a heterocyclic group having a heteroatom such as a nitrogenatom, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom, and examples of the heterocyclicgroup having a heteroatom include an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, animidazolyl group, a pyridyl group, a quinolyl group, a furyl group, apiperidyl group, a morpholine group, a maleimide group, a benzoxazolylgroup, a benzoimidazolyl group, and a benzothiazolyl group), and a silylgroup (preferably a silyl group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms, morepreferably a silyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably a silyl group having 3 to 24 carbon atoms, and examplesthereof include a trimethylsilyl group and a triphenylsilyl group).

These substituents may be further substituted with these substituents.Further, in a case where two or more substituents are present, these maybe the same as or different from each other. Further, these may bebonded to each other to form a ring where possible.

In Formula (5), at least one of C¹ or C² represents a crosslinkablegroup, and from the viewpoint that the durability of the specificpolarizer layer is more excellent, both C¹ and C² represent acrosslinkable group.

Specific examples of the crosslinkable group include the polymerizablegroups described in paragraphs [0040] to [0050] of JP2010-244038A. Amongthese, from the viewpoint of improving the reactivity and the syntheticsuitability, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an epoxy group, anoxetanyl group, and a styryl group are preferable, and an acryloyl groupand a methacryloyl group are more preferable.

In Formula (5), the divalent linking group represented by M¹ and M² willbe described.

Examples of the divalent linking group include —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—,—OCO—, —O—NR^(N)—, —CO—NR^(N)—, —O—CO—NR^(N)—, —SO₂—, —SO₂—, —SO—, analkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an alkenylene group, and a groupobtained by combining two or more of these groups.

Among these, a group obtained by combining an alkylene group with one ormore groups selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—,—OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —CO—NR^(N)—, —SO₂—, and —SO— is preferable. Further,R^(N) represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.

Further, the number of atoms in the main chain of at least one of M¹ orM² is 4 or greater, preferably 7 or greater, and more preferably 10 orgreater. The upper limit of the number of atoms in the main chain ispreferably 20 or less and more preferably 15 or less.

Here, the “main chain” in M¹ indicates a portion required for directlylinking “C¹” with “Ar¹” in Formula (5), and the “number of atoms in themain chain” indicates the number of atoms constituting theabove-described portion. Similarly, the “main chain” in M² indicates aportion required for directly linking “C²” with “E” in Formula (5), andthe “number of atoms in the main chain” indicates the number of atomsconstituting the above-described portion. Further, the “number of atomsin the main chain” does not include the number of atoms in a branchedchain described below.

Specifically, in Formula (D7), the number of atoms in the main chain ofM1 is 6 (the number of atoms in the dotted frame on the left side ofFormula (D7)), and the number of atoms in the main chain of M2 is 7 (thenumber of atoms in the dotted frame on the right side of Formula (D7)).

In the present invention, at least one of M¹ or M² may represent a grouphaving four or more atoms in the main chain, and in a case where thenumber of atoms in the main chain of one of M¹ and M² is 4 or greater,the number of atoms of the other main chain may be 3 or less.

The total number of atoms in the main chains of M¹ or M² is preferablyin a range of 5 to 30 and more preferably in a range of 7 to 27. In acase where the total number of atoms in the main chains is 5 or greater,the dichroic material is more likely to be polymerized, and in a casewhere the total number of atoms in the main chains is 30 or less, aspecific polarizer layer with an excellent degree of alignment or aspecific polarizer layer with excellent heat resistance due to anincreased melting temperature of the dichroic material is obtained.

M¹ and M² may have a branched chain. Here, the “branched chain” of M¹indicates a portion other than a portion required for directly linkingC¹ with Ar¹ in Formula (5). Similarly, the “branched chain” of M²indicates a portion other than a portion required for directly linkingC² with E in Formula (5).

The number of atoms in the branched chain is preferably 3 or less. In acase where the number of atoms in the branched chain is 3 or less, thereis an advantage that the degree of alignment of the specific polarizerlayer is further improved. Further, the number of atoms in the branchedchain does not include the number of hydrogen atoms.

Hereinafter, preferable structures of M¹ and M² will be described, butthe present invention is not limited thereto. In the followingstructures, “*” represents a linking part between C¹ and Ar¹ or alinking part between C² and E.

The “phenylene group which may have a substituent”, the “naphthylenegroup which may have a substituent”, and the “biphenylene group whichmay have a substituent” represented by Ar¹ and Ar² in Formula (5) willbe described.

The substituent is not particularly limited, and examples thereofinclude a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkyloxy group, are alkylthiogroup, an oxycarbonyl group, a thioalkyl group, an acyloxy group, anacylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, a sulfonylamino group, asulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, a sulfinyl group, and a ureidogroup. These substituents may be farther substituted with thesesubstituents. Among these, an alkyl group is preferable, an alkyl grouphaving 1 to 5 carbon atoms is more preferable, and a methyl group or anethyl group is preferable from the viewpoints of the availability of rawmaterials and the degree of alignment.

Ar¹ and Ar² represent a phenylene group which may have a substituent, anaphthylene group which may have a substituent, or a biphenylene groupwhich may have a substituent, but from the viewpoints of theavailability of raw materials which may have a substituent and thedegree of alignment, a phenylene group is preferable.

In Formula (5), it is preferable that “M¹” and “N” linked to Ar¹ arepositioned at the para position in Ar′. Further, it is preferable that“E” and “N” linked to Ar² are positioned at the para position in Ar².

In Formula (5), E represents any of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, ora sulfur atom. Among these, from the viewpoint of the syntheticsuitability, a nitrogen atom is preferable.

Further, from the viewpoint that it is easy to make the dichroicmaterial have absorption on a short wavelength side (for example, adichroic material that has a maximum absorption wavelength in a range ofapproximately 500 to 530 nm), it is preferable that E in Formula (5)represents an oxygen atom.

In addition, from the viewpoint that it is easy to make the dichroicmaterial have absorption on a long wavelength side (for example, adichroic material that has a maximum absorption wavelength atapproximately 600 mu), it is preferable that E in Formula (5) representsa nitrogen atom.

In Formula (5), R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.

The specific examples and preferred embodiments of the “substituent”represented by R¹ are the same as those for the substituents as Ar¹ andAr² described above, the preferred embodiments are also the same asdescribed above, and thus the description thereof will not be repeated.

In Formula. (5), R² represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group whichmay have a substituent and preferably an alkyl group which may have asubstituent.

Examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, anester group, an ether group, and a thioether group.

Examples of the alkyl group include a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylgroup having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Among these, a linear alkyl grouphaving 1 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable, a linear alkyl group having 1to 3 carbon atoms is more preferable, and a methyl group or an ethylgroup is still more preferable.

Further, R² represents a group that is present in Formula (5) in a casewhere E represents a nitrogen atom (that is, a case where n represents1). Further, R² represents a group that is not present in Formula (5) ina case where E represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom (that is, acase where n represents 0).

In Formula (5), n represents 0 or 1. Were, n is 1 in a case where Erepresents a nitrogen atom, and n is 0 in a case where B represents anoxygen atom or a sulfur atom.

Specific examples of the dichroic material will be described below, butthe present invention is not limited thereto.

(First Dichroic Dye)

From the viewpoint of achieving a high degree of alignment on a shortwavelength side, it is preferable that the liquid crystal compositioncontains a dichroic azo dye represented by Formula (6).

In Formula (6), A and B each independently represent a crosslinkablegroup.

In Formula (6), a and b each independently represent 0 or 1. Here, anexpression of “a+b≥1” is satisfied.

In Formula (6), L₁ represents a monovalent substituent in a case where arepresents 0, and L₁ represents a single bond or a divalent linkinggroup in a case where a represents 1. Further, L₂ represents amonovalent substituent in a case wherebh represents 0, and L₂ representsa single bond or a divalent linking group in a case where b represents1.

In Formula (6), Ar₁ represents a (n1+2)-valent aromatic hydrocarbongroup or a heterocyclic group, Ar² represents a (n2+2)-valent aromatichydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group, and Ar³ represents a(n3+2)-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group.

In Formula (6), R₁, R₂, and R₃ each independently represent a monovalentsubstituent a plurality of R₁'s may be the same as or different fromeach other in a case of “n1≥2”, a plurality of R₂'s may be the same asor different from each other in a case of “n2≥2”, and a plurality ofR₃'s may be the same as or different from each other in a case of“n3≥2”, in Formula (6), k represents an integer of 1 to 4. In a case of“k=2”, a plurality of Ar₂'s may be the same as or different from eachother and a plurality of R₂'s may be the same as or different from eachother.

In Formula (6), n1, n2, and n3 each independently represent an integerof 0 to 4. Here, an expression of “n1+n2+n3≥0” is satisfied in a case of“k=1”, and an expression of “n1+n2+n3≥1” is satisfied in a case of“k=2”.

In Formula (6), examples of the crosslinkable group represented by A andB include the polymerizable groups described in paragraphs [0040] to[0050] of JP2010-244038A. Among these, an acryloyl group, a methacryloylgroup, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, and a styryl group arepreferable from the viewpoint of improving the reactivity and thesynthetic suitability, and an acryloyl group and a methacryloyl groupare preferable from the viewpoint of further improving the solubility.

In Formula (6), a and b each independently represent 0 or 1, and anexpression of “a+b≥1” is satisfied. That is, the dichroic materialcontains at least one crosslinkable group at the terminal.

Here, it is preferable that both a and b represent 1, that is, thecrosslinkable group is introduced into both terminals of the dichroicmaterial. In this manner, there is an advantage that the solubility ofthe dichroic material is further improved and the durability of thespecific polarizer layer is further improved.

In Formula (6), L₁ represents a monovalent substituent in a case where arepresents 0, and L₁ represents a single bond or a divalent linkinggroup in a case where a represents 1. Further, L₁ represents amonovalent substituent in a case where b represents 0, and L2 representsa single bond or a divalent linking group in a case where b represents1.

It is preferable that both L₁ and L₂ represent a single bond or adivalent linking group and more preferable that both represent adivalent linking group. In this manner, the solubility of the dichroicmaterial is further improved.

As the monovalent substituent represented by L₁ and L₂, a group to beintroduced to increase the solubility of the dichroic material or agroup having an electron-donating property or an electron-withdrawingproperty which is to be introduced to adjust the color tone of the dyeis preferable.

Examples of the substituent include an alkyl group (preferably an alkylgroup having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having1 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkyl group having1 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof a methyl group, an ethylgroup, an isopropyl group, a tort-butyl group, an n-octyl group, ann-decyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentylgroup, and a cyclohexyl group), an alkenyl group (preferably an alkenylgroup having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkenyl grouphaving 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkenylgroup having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a vinylgroup, an allyl group, a 2-butenyl group, and a 3-pentenyl group), analkynyl group (preferably an alkynyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably an alkynyl group 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably an alkynyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examplesthereof include a propargyl group and a 3-pentynyl group), an aryl group(preferably an aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferablyan aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferablyan aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof includea phenyl group, a 2,6-diethylphenyl group, a 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenylgroup, a naphthyl group, and a biphenyl group), a substituted orunsubstituted amino group (preferably an amino group having 0 to 20carbon atoms, more preferably an amino group having 0 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably an amino group having 0 to 6 carbonatoms, and examples thereof include an unsubstituted amino group, amethylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group, and ananilino group), an alkoxy group (preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to20 carbon atoms and more preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 15carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxy group, an ethoxygroup, and a butoxy group), an oxycarbonyl group (preferably anoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably anoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably an oxycarbonyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonylgroup, and a phenoxycarbonyl group), an acyloxy group (preferably anacyloxy group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an acyloxygroup having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably anacyloxy group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof includean acetoxy group and a benzoyloxy group), an acylamino group (preferablyan acylamino group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably anacylamino group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferablyan acylamino group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereofinclude an acetylamino group and a benzoylamino group), analkoxycarbonylamino group (preferably an alkoxycarbonylamino grouphaving 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkoxycarbonylaminogroup having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably analkoxycarbonylamino group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examplesthereof include a methoxycarbonylamino group), an aryloxycarbonylaminogroup (preferably an aryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably an aryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 16carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an aryloxycarbonylamino grouphaving 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include aphenyloxycarbonylamino group), a sulfonylamino group (preferably asulfonylamino group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably asulfonylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularlypreferably a sulfonylamino group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a methanesulfonylamino group and abenzenesulfonylamino group), a sulfamoyl group (preferably a sulfamoylgroup having 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably a sulfamoyl grouphaving 0 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a sulfamoylgroup having 0 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include anunsubstituted sulfamoyl group, a methylsulfamoyl group, adimethylsulfamoyl group, and a phenylsulfamoyl group), a carbamoyl group(preferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,and examples thereof include an unsubstituted carbamoyl group, amethylcarbamoyl group, a diethylcarbamoyl group, and a phenylcarbamoylgroup), an alkylthio group (preferably an alkylthio group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylthio, group having 1 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably an alkylthio group having 1 to 6carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methylthio group and anethylthio group), an arylthio group (preferably an arylthio group having6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an arylthio group having 6 to 16carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an arylthio group having 6 to12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a phenylthio group), asulfonyl group (preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a mesyl group and a tosyl group), a sulfonylgroup (preferably a sulfinyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a sulfonyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a methanesulfinyl group and a benzenesulfinylgroup), a ureido group (preferably a ureido group having 1 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably a ureido group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably a ureido group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include an unsubstituted ureido group, a methylureidogroup, and a phenylureido group), a phosphoric acid amide group(preferably a phosphoric acid amide group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably a phosphoric acid amide group having 1 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably a phosphoric acid amide group having1 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a diethylphosphoricacid amide group and a phenylphosphoric acid amide group), aheterocyclic group (preferably a heterocyclic group having 1 to 30carbon atoms and more preferably a heterocyclic group having 1 to 12carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a heterocyclic group having aheteroatom such as a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom,and examples of the heterocyclic group having a heteroatom include animidazolyl group, a pyridyl group, a quinolyl group, a furyl group, apiperidyl group, a morpholine group, a benzoxazolyl group, abenzoimidazolyl group, and a benzothiazolyl group), a silyl group(preferably a silyl group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably asilyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably asilyl group having 3 to 24 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include atrimethylsilyl group and a triphenylsilyl group), a halogen atom (suchas a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodineatom), a hydroxy group, a mercapto group, a cyano group, a nitro group,a hydroxamic acid group, a sulfino group, a hydrazino group, an iminogroup, and an azo group.

These substituents may be further substituted with these substituents.Further, in a case where two or more substituents are present, these maybe the same as or different from each other. Further, these may bebonded to each other to form a ring where possible.

As the group in which the above-described substituent is furthersubstituted with the above-described substituent, anR_(B)—(O—R_(A))_(na)— group which is a group in which an alkoxy group issubstituted with an alkyl group is exemplified. Here, in the formula,R_(A) represents an alkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R_(B)represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and na representsan integer of 1 to 10 (preferably an integer of 1 to 5 and morepreferably an integer of 1 to 3).

Among these, as the monovalent substituent represented by L₁ and L₂, analkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkoxy group, and groups in whichthese groups are further substituted with these groups (for example,R_(B)—(O—R_(A))_(na)— group) are preferable, an alkyl group, an alkoxygroup, and groups in which these groups are further substituted withthese groups (for example, an R_(B)—(O—R_(A))_(na)— group) are morepreferable.

Examples of the divalent linking group represented by L₁ and L₂ include—O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —CO—NR_(N)—, —O—CO—NR_(N)—,—NR_(N)—CO—NR_(N)—, —SO₂—, —SO—, an alkylene group, a cycloalkylenegroup, an alkenylene group, and a group obtained by combining two ormore of these groups.

Among these, a group obtained by combining an alkylene group with one ormore groups selected from the group consisting of —O—, —COO—, —OCO— and—O—CO—O— is preferable.

Here, R_(N) represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. In a casewhere a plurality of R_(N)'s are present, the plurality of R_(N)'s maybe the same as or different from each other.

From the viewpoint of further improving the solubility of the dichroicmaterial, the number of atoms in the main chain of at least one of L₁ orL₂ is preferably 3 or greater, more preferably 5 or greater, still morepreferably 7 or greater, and particularly preferably 10 or greater.Further, the upper limit of the number of atoms in the main chain ispreferably 20 or less and more preferably 12 or less.

In addition, from the viewpoint of further improving the degree ofalignment of the specific polarizer layer, the number of atoms of themain chain of at least one of L₁ or L₂ is preferably in a range of 1 to5.

Here, in a case where A is present in Formula (6), the “main chain” ofL₁ indicates a portion required for directly linking “A” with the “0”atom linked to L₁, and the “number of atoms in the main chain” indicatesthe number of atoms constituting the above-described portion. Similarly,in a case where B is present in Formula (6), the “main chain” of L₂indicates a portion required for directly linking “B” with the “O” atomlinked to L₂, and the “number of atoms in the main chain” indicates thenumber of atoms constituting the above-described portion. Further, the“number of atoms in the main chain” does not include the number of atomsin a branched chain described below.

Further, in a case Where A is not present, the “number of the main chainof atoms” in L₁ indicates the number of atoms in L₁ that does not have abranched chain. In a case where B is not present, the “number of themain chain of atoms” in L₂ indicates the number of atoms in L₂ that doesnot have a branched chain.

Specifically, in Formula (D1), the number of atoms in the main chain ofL₁ is 5 (the number of atoms in the dotted frame on the left side ofFormula (D1)), and the number of atoms in the main chain of L₂ is 5 (thenumber of atoms in the dotted frame on the right side of Formula (D1)).Further, in Formula (D10), the number of atoms in the main chain of L₁is 7 (the number of atoms in the dotted frame on the left side ofFormula (D10)), and the number of atoms in the main chain of L₂ is 5(the number of atoms in the dotted frame on the right side of Formula(D10)).

L₁ and L₂ may have a branched chain.

Here, in a case where A is present in Formula (6), the “branched chain”of L₁ indicates a portion other than a portion required for directlylinking “A” with the “O” atom linked to L₁ in Formula (6). Similarly, ina case where B is present in Formula (6), the “branched chain” of L₂indicates a portion other than a portion required for directly linking“B” with the “O” atom linked to L₂ in Formula (6).

Further, in a case where A is not present in Formula (6), the “branchedchain” of L₁ indicates a portion other than the longest atomic chain(that is, the main chain) extending from the “O” atom linked to L₁ inFormula (6) which is the starting point. Similarly, in a case where B isnot present in Formula (6), the “branched chain” of L₂ indicates aportion other than the longest atomic chain (that is, the main chain)extending from the “O” atom linked to L₂ in Formula (6) which is astarting point.

The number of atoms in the branched chain is preferably 3 or less. Inacase where the number of atoms in the branched chain is set to 3 orless, there is an advantage that the degree of alignment of the specificpolarizer layer is further improved. Further, the number of atoms in thebranched chain does not include the number of hydrogen atoms.

In Formula (6), Ar₁ represents an (n1+2)-valent (for example, trivalentin a case where n1 represents 1) aromatic hydrocarbon group orheterocyclic group, Ar₂ represents an (n2+2)-valent (for example,trivalent in a case where n2 represents 1) aromatic hydrocarbon group orheterocyclic group, and Ar₃ represents an (n3+2)-valent (for example,trivalent in a case where n3 represents 1) aromatic hydrocarbon group orheterocyclic group. Here, Ar₁ to Ar₃ can be respectively rephrased as adivalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a divalent heterocyclic groupsubstituted with n1 to n3 substituents (R₁ to R₃ described below).

The divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group represented by Ar₁ to Ar₃ may bemonocyclic or may have a bicyclic or higher cyclic fused ring structure.From the viewpoint of further improving the solubility, the number ofrings of the divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group is preferably 1 to 4,more preferably 1 or 2, and still more preferably 1 (that is, aphenylene group).

Specific examples of the divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group include aphenylene group, an azulene-diyl group, a naphthylene group, afluorene-diyl group, an anthracene-diyl group, and a tetracene-diylgroup. From the viewpoints of further improving the solubility, aphenylene group or a naphthylene group is preferable, and a phenylenegroup is more preferable.

The divalent heterocyclic group may be any of aromatic or non-aromatic,but a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group is preferable as the divalentheterocyclic group from the viewpoint of further improving the degree ofalignment.

The divalent aromatic heterocyclic group may be monocyclic or may have abicyclic or higher cyclic fused ring structure. The atoms other thancarbon constituting the aromatic heterocyclic group include a nitrogenatom, a sulfur atom, and an oxygen atom. In a case where the aromaticheterocyclic group has a plurality of atoms constituting a ring otherthan carbon, these may be the same as or different from each other.

Specific examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group include apyridylene group (pyridine-diyl group), thienylene (thiophene-diylgroup), a quinolylene group (quinoline-diyl group), an isoquinolylenegroup (isoquinolin-diyl group), a thiazole-diyl group,benzothiadiazole-diyl group, a phthalimide-diyl group, athienothiazole-diyl group (in the present invention, referred to as a“thienothiazole group”), a thienothiophene-diyl group, and athienooxazole-diyl group.

Among these, as the divalent aromatic heterocyclic group, a group havinga monocycle or a bicyclic fused ring structure represented by thefollowing structural formula can be preferably used. Further, in thefollowing structural formulae below, “*” represents a bonding positionwith respect to an azo group or an oxygen atom in Formula (6).

in Formula (6), Ar₁ to Ar₃ represent preferably a divalent aromatichydrocarbon group and more preferably a phenylene group.

Here, in a case where Ar₁ represents a phenylene group, the azo groupand the oxygen atom bonded to Ar₁ are positioned preferably in the metaor para position and more preferably in the para position. In thismanner, the degree of alignment of the specific polarizer layer isfurther improved. From the same viewpoint as described above, in a casewhere Ar₂ represents a phenylene group, two azo groups bonded to Ar₂ arepositioned preferably in the meta position or para position and morepreferably in the para position. Similarly, in a case where Ar₃represents a phenylene group, the azo group and the oxygen atom bondedto Ar₃ are positioned preferably in the meta position or para positionand more preferably in the para position.

In Formula (6), in a case where Ar₁, Ar₂, and Ar₃ each have a fused ringstructure, it is preferable that all the plurality of rings constitutingthe fused ring structure are linked to each other in the longitudinaldirection of the structure represented by Formula (6). In this manner,it possible to suppress the molecules of the dichroic material frombeing bulky in a direction (short direction) intersecting, with thelongitudinal direction, and thus the aligning properties of themolecules are enhanced so that the degree of alignment of the specificpolarizer layer is further improved.

Here, the longitudinal direction of the structure represented by Formula(6) indicates an extending direction of the structure represented byFormula (6). Specifically, the longitudinal direction indicates anextending direction of the bonding site of the azo group bonded to Ar₁,Ar₂, and Ar₃ and the bonding site of the ether bond (oxygen atom) bondedthereto.

As a specific example of an embodiment in which all the plurality ofrings constituting the fused ring structure are linked to each other inthe longitudinal direction of the structure represented by Formula (6),a fused ring structure represented by Formula (Ar-1) is shown below.That is, in a case where Ar₁, Ar₂, and Ar₃ have a fused ring structure,it preferable that Ar₁, Ar₂, and Ar₃ have a fused ring structurerepresented by Formula (Ar-1),

In Formula (Ar-1), Ar_(X), Ar_(Y), and Ar_(Z) each independentlyrepresent a benzene ring or a monocyclic heterocycle a represents aninteger of 0 or greater. Further, “*” represents a bonding position withrespect to an azo group or an oxygen atom in Formula (6).

As the monocyclic heterocycle in Formula (Ar-1), a monocyclic aromaticheterocycle is preferable. The atoms other than carbon constituting themonovalent aromatic heterocyclic group include a nitrogen atom, a sulfuratom, and an oxygen atom. Specific examples of the monocyclic aromaticheterocycle include a pyridine ring, a thiophene ring, a thiazole ring,and an oxazole ring.

Further, Ar_(X), Ar_(Y), and Ar_(Z) may have a substituent. Examples ofsuch a substituent include monovalent substituents for R₁ to R₃described below.

n represents an integer of 0 or greater, preferably 0 to 2, morepreferably 0 or 1, and still more preferably 0.

In Formula (6), R₁, R₂, and R₃ each independently represent a monovalentsubstituent.

As the monovalent substituent represented by R₁, R₂, and R₃, a halogenatom, a cyano group, a hydroxy group, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, afluorinated alkyl group, —O—(C₂H₄O)m-R′, —O—(C₃H₆O)m-R′, an alkylthiogroup, an oxycarbonyl group, a thioalkyl group, an acyloxy group, anacylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, a sulfonylamino group, asulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, a sulfinyl group, or a ureido groupis preferable. Here, R′ represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, oran ethyl group, and in represents an integer of 1 to 6. Thesesubstituents may be further substituted with these substituents.

Among these, from the viewpoint of further improving the solubility ofthe dichroic material, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a methyl group,an ethyl group, a propyl group, a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, apropoxy group, a hydroxy group, a trifluoromethyl group, O—(C₂H₄O)m-R′,or —O—(C₃H₆O)m-R′ is preferable, and a trifluoromethyl group, a methoxygroup, a hydroxy group, —O—(C₂H₄O)m-R′, or —O—(C₃H₆O)m-R′ is morepreferable as the monovalent substituent represented by R₁, R₂, and R₃.

In the monovalent substituent represented by R₁, R₂, and R₃, the numberof atoms in the main chain is preferably in a range of 1 to 15 and morepreferably in a range of 1 to 12 from the viewpoint of the balancebetween the solubility of the dichroic material and the aligningproperties of the specific polarizer layer. Here, in the monovalentsubstituent represented by R₁, R₂, and R₃, “the number of atoms in themain chain” indicates the number of atoms of R₁, R₂, or R₃ which doesnot have a branched chain. Further, the “branched chain” indicates aportion other than the longest atomic chain (that is, the main chain)extending from any of Ar₁ to Ar₂ in Formula (6) which is a startingpoint.

In a case where Formula (6) has at least one substituent selected fromR₁, R₂, and R₃, it is preferable that at least one condition selectedfrom the following conditions (R1) to (R3) is satisfied. In this manner,the solubility of the dichroic material is further improved.

Condition (R1): In Ar₁, at least one R₁ and an azo group are positionedto be adjacent to each other

Condition (R2): In Ar₂, at least one R₂ and at least one azo group arepositioned to be adjacent to each other

Condition (R3): In Ar₃, at least one R₃ and an azo group are positionedto be adjacent to each other

As a specific example of the condition (R1), in a case where Ar₁represents a phenylene group, an embodiment in which R₁ is positioned inthe ortho position with respect to the azo group bonded to Ar₁ isexemplified. As a specific example of the condition (R2), in a casewhere Ar₂ represents a phenylene group, an embodiment in which R₂ ispositioned in the ortho position with respect to at least one azo groupis exemplified. As a specific example of the condition (R3), in a casewhere Ar₃ represents a phenylene group, an embodiment in which R₃ ispositioned in the ortho position with respect to the azo group bonded toAr₃ is exemplified.

In Formula (6), k represents an integer of 1 to 4. Here, from theviewpoints of excellent light resistance while ensuring excellentsolubility, it is preferable that 1K represents 2 or greater. Meanwhile,from the viewpoint of more excellent solubility of the dichroicmaterial, it is preferable that k represents 1.

In Formula (6), n1, n2, and n3 each independently represent an integerof 0 to 4 and preferably an integer of 0 to 3.

Here, an expression of “n1+n2+n3≥0” is satisfied in a case where krepresents 1. That is, in a case where Formula (6) has a bisazostructure, sufficient solubility is obtained regardless of the presenceor absence of the substituents (R₁ to R₃ in Formula (6)), but it ispreferable that the structure has the substituents from the viewpoint offurther improving the solubility.

In a case where k represents 1, n1+n2+n3 is preferably in a range of 0to 9, more preferably in a range of 1 to 9, and still more preferably ina range of 1 to 5.

Meanwhile, in a case where k is greater than or equal to 2, anexpression of “n1+n2+n3≥1” is satisfied. That is, in a case whereFormula (6) has a trisazo structure, a tetrakisazo structure, or apentakisazo structure, at least one substituent (R₁ to R₃ in Formula(6)) is present.

In a case of “k≥2”, n1+n2+n3 is preferably in a range of 1 to 9 and morepreferably in a range of 1 to 5.

Specific examples of the dichroic material represented by Formula (6)will be described below, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. In the following specific examples, n represents an integer of1 to 10.

In the present invention, the dichroic material indicates a materialhaving different absorbances depending on the direction.

The dichroic material may or may not exhibit liquid crystallinity.

In a case where the dichroic material exhibits liquid crystallinity, thedichroic material may exhibit any of nematic or nematic liquidcrystallinity. The temperature at which the liquid crystal phase isexhibited is preferably in a range of room temperature (approximately20° C. to 28° C.) 300° C. and from the viewpoints of handleability andmanufacturing suitability, more preferably in a range of 50° C. to 200°C.

The liquid crystal composition may contain only one or two or more kindsof dichroic materials.

<Low-Molecular-Weight Liquid Crystal Compound>

From the viewpoint of the adhesion between the photo-alignment layer andthe specific polarizer layer, it is preferable that the liquid crystalcomposition used for forming the specific polarizer layer contains alow-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound in addition to a polymerliquid crystal compound. Here, the “low-molecular-weight liquid crystalcompound” indicates a liquid crystal compound having no repeating unitsin the chemical structure.

Examples of the low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound include theliquid crystal compound described in JP201.3-228706A, the compoundsrepresented by Formulae (M1), (M2), and (M3) described in paragraphs[0030] to [0033] of JP2014-077068A, and the low-molecular-weightcompounds described in paragraphs [0043] to [0050] of WO2018/199096A.

Among these, from the viewpoints of the reactivity and the syntheticsuitability, a radically polymerizable group is preferable, an acryloylgroup, a methacryloyl group, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, or astyryl group is more preferable, and an acryloyl group or a methacryloylgroup is still more preferable.

(Molecular Weight)

The molecular weight of the low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compoundis preferably less than 5000, more preferably in a range of 200 to 2000,and still more preferably 200 or greater and less than 1500,

(Content)

In a case where the liquid crystal composition contains alow-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound, the content of thelow-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound is preferably in a range of3 to 30 parts by mass and more preferably in a range of 5 to 20 parts bymass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymer liquid crystalcompound,

<Interface Improver>

it is preferable that the liquid crystal composition used for formingthe specific polarizer layer contains an interface improver. In a casewhere the liquid crystal composition contains an interface improver, thesmoothness of the coated surface is improved, the degree of alignment isimproved, and cissing and unevenness are suppressed so that the in-planeuniformity is expected to be improved.

As the interface improver, interface improvers that allow liquid crystalcompounds to be horizontally aligned on the coated surface side arepreferable, the compounds described in paragraphs [0155] to [0170] ofWO2016/009648A, and the compounds (horizontal alignment agents)described in paragraphs [0253] to [0293] of JP2011-237513A can be used.

In a case where the liquid crystal composition contains an interfaceimprover, the content of the interface improver is preferably in a rangeof 0.001 to 5 parts by mass and more preferably in a range of 0.01 to 3parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass which is the totalamount of the dichroic material and the polymer liquid crystal compoundin the liquid crystal composition.

<Polymerization Initiator>

The liquid crystal composition used for forming the specific polarizerlayer may contain a polymerization initiator.

The polymerization initiator is not particularly limited, but a compoundhaving photosensitivity, that is, a photopolymerization initiator ispreferable.

As the photopolymerization initiator, various compounds can be usedwithout any particular limitation. Examples of the photopolymerizationinitiator include α-carbonyl compounds (US2367661A and U.S. Pat. No.2,367,670A), acyloin ether (U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,828A),α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compounds (U.S. Pat. No.2,722,512A), polynuclear quinone compounds (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127Aand 2,951,758A), a combination of a triarylimidazole dimer and ap-aminophenyl ketone (U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,367A), acridine and phenazinecompounds (JP1985-105667A (JP-S60-105667A) and U.S. Pat. No.4,239,850A), oxadiazole compounds (U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,970A),o-acyloxime compounds (paragraph [0065] of JP2016-27384A), andacylphosphine oxide compounds (JP1988-40799B (JP-S63-40799B), JP1993-29234B (JP-1105-29234B), JP1998-95788A (JP-H10-95788A), andJP1998-29997A (JP-H10-29997A)).

Commercially available products can also be used as such aphotopolymerization initiator, and examples thereof include IRGACURE184, IRGACURE 907, IRGACURE 369, IRGACURE 651, IRGACURE 819, andIRGACURE OXE-01 (all manufactured by BASF SE).

In a case where the liquid crystal composition contains a polymerizationinitiator, the content of the polymerization initiator is preferably ina range of 0.01 to 30 parts by mass and more preferably in a range of0.1 to 15 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass which is thetotal amount of the dichroic material and the liquid crystal compound inthe present composition. The curability of the specific polarizer layeris enhanced in a case where the content of the polymerization initiatoris 0.01 parts by mass or greater, and the alignment of the specificpolarizer layer is enhanced in a ease where the content thereof is 30parts by mass or less.

<Solvent>

From the viewpoints of the workability and the like, it is preferablethat the liquid crystal composition used for forming the specificpolarizer layer contains a solvent.

Examples of the solvent include organic solvents such as ketones (suchas acetone, 2-butanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclopentanone, andcyclohexanone), ethers (such as dioxane, tetrahydrofuran,2-methyltetrahydrofbran, cyclopentyl methyl ether, tertrahydropyran, anddioxolanes), aliphatic hydrocarbons (such as hexane), alicyclichydrocarbons (such as cyclohexane), aromatic hydrocarbons (such asbenzene, toluene, xylene, and trimethylbenzene), carbon halides (such asdichloromethane, trichloromethane, dichloroethane, dichlorobenzene, andchlorotoluene), esters (such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butylacetate, and ethyl lactate), alcohols (such as ethanol, isopropanol,butanol, cyclohexanol, isopentyl alcohol, neopentyl alcohol, diacetonealcohol, and benzyl alcohol), cellosolves (such as methyl cellosolve,ethyl cellosolve, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane), cellosolve acetates,sulfoxides (such as dimethyl sulfoxide), amides (such asdimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, andN-ethylpyrrolidone), and heterocyclic compounds (such as pyridine), andwater. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or morekinds thereof.

Among these solvents, from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of theexcellent solubility, ketones (particularly cyclopentanone andcyclohexanone), ethers (particularly tetrahydrofuran, cyclopentyl methylether, tetrahydropyran, and dioxolan), and amides (particularlydimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, andN-ethylpyrrolidone) are preferable.

In a case where the colored composition contains a solvent, the contentof the solvent is preferably in a range of 60% to 99% by mass, morepreferably in a range of 70% to 95% by mass, and still more preferablyin a range of 70% to 90% by mass with respect to the total mass of thecolored composition. Further, the content thereof is preferably in arange of 80% to 99% by mass, more preferably in a range of 83% to 97% bymass, and still more preferably in a range of 85% to 95% by mass,

[Forming Method]

A method of forming the specific polarizer layer using theabove-described liquid crystal composition is not particularly limited,and examples thereof include a method of sequentially performing a stepof coating a photo-alignment layer (for example, the photo-alignmentlayer described below) with the liquid crystal composition to form acoating film (hereinafter, also referred to as a “coating film thrillingstep”) and a step of aligning a liquid crystal component contained inthe coating film (hereinafter, also referred to as an “aligning step”).

<Coating Film Forming Step>

The coating film forming step is a step of coating a photo-alignmentlayer with the liquid crystal composition to form a coating film.

The photo-alignment layer is easily coated with the liquid crystalcomposition by using the liquid crystal composition containing theabove-described solvent or using a liquid such as a melt obtained byheating the liquid crystal composition.

Examples of the method of coating the photo-alignment layer with theliquid crystal composition include known methods such as a roll coatingmethod, a gravure printing method, a spin coating method, a wire barcoating method, an extrusion coating method, a direct gravure coatingmethod, a reverse gravure coating method, a die coating method, aspraying method, and an ink jet method.

<Aligning Step>

The aligning step is a step of aligning the liquid crystal componentcontained in the coating film. As a result, a specific polarizer layeris obtained.

Further, the liquid crystal component is a component that also includesa dichroic material having liquid crystallinity in a case where theabove-described dichroic material has liquid crystallinity, in additionto the above-described liquid crystal compound.

The aligning step may include a drying treatment. Components such as asolvent can be removed from the coating film by performing the dryingtreatment. The drying treatment may be performed according to a methodof allowing the coating film to stand at room temperature for apredetermined time (for example, natural drying) or a method of heatingthe coating film and/or blowing air to the coating film.

Here, the liquid crystal component contained in the liquid crystalcomposition may be aligned by performing the above-described coatingfilm following step or drying treatment. For example, in an embodimentin which the liquid crystal composition is prepared as a coatingsolution containing a solvent, a coating film having light absorptionanisotropy (that is, a specific polarizer layer) is obtained by dryingthe coating film and removing the solvent from the coating film.

In a case where the drying treatment is performed at a temperaturehigher than or equal to the transition temperature of the liquid crystalcomponent contained in the coating film to the liquid crystal phase, theheat treatment described below may not be performed.

The transition temperature of the liquid crystal component contained inthe coating film to the liquid crystal phase is preferably in a range of10° C. to 250° C. and more preferably in a range of 25° C. to 190° C.from the viewpoint of the manufacturing suitability or the like. It ispreferable that the transition temperature is 10° C. or higher from theviewpoint that a cooling treatment or the like for lowering thetemperature to a temperature range in which a liquid crystal phase isexhibited is not necessary. Further, it is preferable that thetransition temperature is 250° C. or lower from the viewpoint that ahigh temperature is not required even in a case of setting an isotropicliquid state at a temperature higher than the temperature range in whicha liquid crystal phase is temporarily exhibited, and waste of thermalenergy and deformation and deterioration of a substrate can be reduced.

It is preferable that the aligning step includes a heat treatment. Inthis manner, since the liquid crystal component contained in the coatingfilm can be aligned, the coating film after being subjected to the heattreatment can be suitably used as the specific polarizer layer.

From the viewpoint of the manufacturing suitability, the heat treatmentis performed at a temperature of preferably 10° C. to 250° C. and morepreferably 25° C. to 190° C. Further, the heating time is preferably ina range of 1 to 300 seconds and more preferably in a range of 1 to 60seconds.

The aligning step may include a cooling treatment performed after theheat treatment. The cooling treatment is a treatment of cooling thecoating film after being heated to room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.).In this manner, the alignment of the liquid crystal component containedin the coating film can be fixed. The cooling means is not particularlylimited and can be performed according to a known method.

The specific polarizer layer can be obtained by performing theabove-described steps.

In the present embodiment, examples of the method of aligning the liquidcrystal component contained in the coating film include a dryingtreatment and a heat treatment, but the method is not limited thereto,and the liquid crystal component can be aligned by a known alignmenttreatment.

<Other Steps>

The method of forming the specific polarizer layer may include a step ofcuring the specific polarizer layer after the aligning step(hereinafter, also referred to as a “curing step”).

The curing step is performed by heating the specific polarizer layerand/or irradiating the layer with light (exposing the layer to light),for example, in a case where the specific polarizer layer contains acrosslinkable group (polymerizable group). Between these, it ispreferable that the curing step is performed by irradiating the filmwith light.

In a case where the photo-alignment layer contains a compound containinga photoreactive radical polymerizable group, an unreacted radicallypolymerizable group can be allowed to remain on the surface of thephoto-alignment layer using a method of allowing the photo-alignmentlayer not to contain a radical polymerization initiator or a method ofexposing the photo-alignment layer in an environment with a high oxygenconcentration. By reacting the unreacted radically polymerizable grouppresent on the surface of the photo-alignment layer with the radicallypolymerizable group of the specific polarizer layer by performing the“curing step”, the adhesiveness between the photo-alignment layer andthe specific polarizer layer can be improved.

Various light sources such as infrared rays, visible light, andultraviolet rays can be used as the light source for curing, butultraviolet rays are preferable. In addition, ultraviolet rays may beapplied while the film is heated during curing, or ultraviolet rays maybe applied through a filter that transmits only a specific wavelength.

In a case where the exposure is performed while the film is heated, theheating temperature during the exposure depends on the transitiontemperature of the liquid crystal component contained in the specificpolarizer layer to the liquid crystal phase, but is preferably in arange of 25° to 140° C.

Further, the exposure may be performed under a nitrogen atmosphere. In acase where the curing of the specific polarizer layer proceeds byradical polymerization, since the inhibition of polymerization by oxygenis reduced, it is preferable that exposure is performed in a nitrogenatmosphere.

[Thickness of Polarizer Layer]

In the laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention,the thickness of the polarizer layer is not particularly limited, hut ispreferably 10 μm or less, more preferably in a range of 0.1 to 5.0 μm,and still more preferably in a range of 0.3 to 1.5 μm from the viewpointthat the effects of the present invention are more excellent.

[4] Second Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Layer

As described above, the laminate according to the embodiment of thepresent invention includes a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

Further, in a case where two or more pressure-sensitive adhesive layersare provided between the specific polarizer layer described above andthe optically anisotropic layer described below, the secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive layerclosest to the specific polarizer layer among the two or morepressure-sensitive adhesive layers.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the second pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer is an adhesive layer.

The adhesive used for the adhesive layer is not particularly limited,but from the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention aremore excellent, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based adhesive or a curableadhesive is preferable, a curable adhesive is more preferable, and aultraviolet (UV) adhesive is still more preferable.

Specific examples of the curable adhesive include an active energyray-curable adhesive (particularly a UV adhesive) such as a(meth)acrylate-based adhesive and a cationic polymerization curableadhesive. Further, the (meth)acrylate indicates acrylate and/ormethacrylate. Examples of the curable component in the(meth)acrylate-based adhesive include a compound containing ameth)acryloyl group and a compound containing a vinyl group.

Further, as the cationic polymerization curable adhesive, a compoundcontaining an epoxy group or an oxetanyl group can also be used. Thecompound containing an epoxy group is not particularly limited as longas the compound contains at least two epoxy groups in a molecule, andvarious generally known curable epoxy compounds can be used. Preferredexamples of the epoxy compound include a compound (aromatic epoxycompound) containing at least two epoxy groups and at least one aromaticring in a molecule and a compound (alicyclic epoxy compound) containingat least two epoxy groups in a molecule, in which at least one of theepoxy groups is formed between two adjacent carbon atoms constituting analicyclic ring.

[Thickness of the Second Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Layer]

The thickness of the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is notparticularly limited, but is preferably in a range of 0.1 to 10 μm, morepreferably in a range of 0.3 to 3 μm, and still more preferably in arange of 0.5 to 1.5 μm from the viewpoint that the effects of thepresent invention are more excellent,

[5] Optically Anisotropic Layer

As described above, the laminate according to the embodiment of thepresent invention includes an optically anisotropic layer.

The optically anisotropic layer is not particularly limited as long asthe layer has optical anisotropy, but from the viewpoint that theeffects of the present invention are more excellent, a phase differencelayer is preferable, and a λ/4 plate is more preferable.

Here, the “λ/4 plate” is a plate having a λ/4 function, specifically, aplate having a function of converting linearly polarized light having aspecific wavelength into circularly polarized light (or convertingcircularly polarized light into linearly polarized light).

Specific examples of the λ/4 plate include those described inUS2015/0277006A. For example, specific examples of a form in which theλ/4 plate has a single-layer structure include a stretched polymer filmand a phase difference film in which an optically anisotropic layerhaving a λ/4 function is provided on a support. Further, specificexamples of a form in which the λ/4 plate has a multilayer structureinclude a broadband λ/4 plate obtained by laminating a λ/4 plate and aλ/4 plate.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the λ/4 plate is formed by being coatedwith a liquid crystal composition.

It is more preferable that the phase difference film provided with theoptically anisotropic layer having a λ/4 function is a phase differencefilm formed of one or more layers containing at least one liquid crystalcompound (such as a disk-like liquid crystal compound or a rod-likeliquid crystal compound) formed by polymerizing a liquid crystal monomerexhibiting a nematic liquid crystal layer or a smectic liquid crystallayer.

Further, it is still more preferable to use a liquid crystal compoundhaving reciprocal wavelength dispersibility as the λ/4 plate havingexcellent optical performance. Specifically, the liquid crystal compoundrepresented by Formula (II) described in WO2017/043438A is preferablyused. In regard to a method of preparing the λ/4 plate formed of aliquid crystal compound having reciprocal wavelength dispersibility, thedescription of Examples 1 to 10 of WO2017/043438A and Example 1 ofJP2016-91022A can be referred to.

[Thickness of Optically Anisotropic Layer]

The thickness of the optically anisotropic layer (particularly, the λ/4plate) is not particularly limited, but is preferably in a range of 0.1to 100 μm and more preferably in a range of 0.5 to 5 μm from theviewpoint that the effects of the present invention are more excellent.

[6] Distance A

The distance A between the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer andthe specific polarizer layer is 10 μm or less.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, the distance A is preferably 5 μm or less and more preferably3 μm or less. The lower limit of the distance A is not particularlylimited and is 0 μm.

[7] Distance B

The distance B between the specific polarizer layer and the secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 10 μm or less.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, the distance B is preferably 5 μm or less and more preferably3 μm or less. The lower limit of the distance B is not particularlylimited and is 0 μm.

[8] Functional Layer

The laminate according to the of the present invention may includelayers other than the above-described layers. Examples of such layersinclude functional layers such as an alignment layer (particularly aphoto-alignment layer), a cured layer, an oxygen blocking layer, and aUV absorbing layer.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the laminate according to theembodiment of the present invention includes a functional layer in atleast one of between the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and thespecific polarizer layer or between the specific polarizer layer and thesecond pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the laminate according to theembodiment of the present invention includes a cured layer and an oxygenblocking layer between the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer andthe specific polarizer layer.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the laminate according to theembodiment of the present invention includes an alignment layer(particularly a photo-alignment layer) between the specific polarizerlayer and the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the laminate according to theembodiment of the present invention does not include a cellulose acylatefilm (particularly a cellulose triacetate (TAC)

[Alignment Layer]

Examples of the kind of the alignment layer include a photo-alignmentlayer and a rubbing treatment alignment layer. Among these, from theviewpoint that the effects of the present invention are more excellent,a photo-alignment layer is preferable.

[Photo-Alignment Layer]

The photo-alignment layer is a layer to which an alignment regulationforce is applied by light.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the photo-alignment layer contains acinnamoyl group.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, it is preferable that the photo-alignment layer is analignment layer to which an alignment regulation force is applied, whichis obtained by performing a step (coating film forming step) of coatinga polymer film with a composition (hereinafter, also referred to as a“composition for forming a photo-alignment layer”) that contains acompound (photoactive compound) containing a photoreactive group, a step(drying step) of heating the coating film so that the coating film isdried, and a step (light irradiation step) of irradiating the driedcoating film with polarized light or nonpolarized light in a directionoblique to the surface of the coating film.

Hereinafter, “the effects of the present invention from the opticallaminate to be obtained are more excellent” is also simply referred toas “the effects of the present invention are more excellent”.

<Coating Film Forming Step>

As described above, the coating film forming step is a step of coating apolymer film with the composition for forming a photo-alignment layer toform a coating film.

(Polymer Film)

The polymer film is not particularly limited, and a polymer film that iscommonly used (for example, a polarizer protective film) can be used.

Specific examples of the polymer constituting the polymer film include acellulose-based polymer, an acrylic polymer containing an acrylic acidester polymer such as polymethyl methacrylate or a lactonering-containing polymer, a thermoplastic norbornene-based polymer, apolycarbonate-based polymer, a polyester-based polymer such aspolyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate, a styrene-basedpolymer such as polystyrene or an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (ASresin), a polyolefin-based polymer such as polyethylene, polypropylene,or an ethylene-propylene copolymer, a vinyl chloride-based polymer, anamide-based polymer such as nylon or aromatic polyamide, an imide-basedpolymer, a sulfone-based polymer, a polyether sulfone-based polymer, apolyether ether ketone-based polymer, a polyphenylene sulfide-basedpolymer, a vinylidene chloride-based polymer, a vinyl alcohol-basedpolymer, a vinyl butyral-based polymer, an arylate-based polymer, apolyoxymethylene-based polymer, an epoxy-based polymer, and a polymerobtained by mixing such polymers.

Among these, a cellulosic polymer represented by triacetyl cellulose(hereinafter, also referred to as “cellulose acylate”) can be preferablyused.

Further, from the viewpoint of processability and optical performance,an acrylic polymer is also preferably used.

Examples of the acrylic polymer include polymethyl methacrylate and thelactone ring-containing polymer and the like described in paragraphs[0017] to [0107] of JP2009-98605A.

In the present invention, a cellulose-based polymer or a polyester-basedpolymer can be preferably used in an aspect of using a polymer film thatcan be peeled off from the prepared optical laminate.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the polymerfilm is transparent.

Here, the “transparent” in the present invention indicates that thetransmittance of visible light is 60% or greater, preferably 80% orgreater, and particularly preferably 90% or greater.

The thickness of the polymer film is not particularly limited, but ispreferably 40 μm or less from the viewpoint that the thickness of theoptical laminate can be reduced. The lower limit is not particularlylimited, but is typically 5 μm or greater.

(Photoactive Compound)

As described above, the composition for forming a photo-alignment layercontains a compound containing a photoreactive group (photoactivecompound).

The photoreactive group denotes a group that produces a liquid crystalalignment ability by irradiating with light. Specifically, thephotoreactive group causes the photoreaction that is the origin of theliquid crystal alignment ability such as alignment induction orisomerization reaction, dimerization reaction, photocrosslinkingreaction, or photodegradation reaction of molecules (also referred to asphotoactive compounds) generated by irradiation with light.

As the photoreactive group, from the viewpoint that the effects of thepresent invention are more excellent, those having an unsaturated bondand particularly a double bond are preferable, and examples thereofinclude a group containing at least one selected from the groupconsisting of a carbon-carbon double bond (C═C bond), a carbon-nitrogendouble bond (C═N bond), a nitrogen-nitrogen double bond (N═N bond), andcarbon-oxygen double bond (C═O bond).

Examples of the photoreactive group having a C═C bond include a vinylgroup, a polyene group, a stilbene group, a stilbazole group, astilbazolium group, a chalcone group, and a cinnamoyl group.

Examples of the photoreactive group having a C═N bond include groupshaving structures such as an aromatic Schiff base and an aromatichydrazone.

Examples of the photoreactive group having a C═O bond include abenzophenone group, a coumarin group, an anthraquinone group, and amaleimide group.

Examples of the photoreactive group having an N═N bond (hereinafter,also referred to as an “azo group”) include an azobenzene group, anazonaphthalene group, an aromatic heterocyclic azo group, a bisazogroup, a formazan group, and a group having azoxybenzene as a basicstructure.

These groups may have a substituent such as an alkyl group, an alkoxygroup, an aryl group, an allyloxy group, a cyano group, analkoxycarbonyl group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, and ahalogenated alkyl group.

Among these groups, a cinnamoyl group or an azobenzene group ispreferable from the viewpoint that the polarized light irradiationamount required for photo-alignment is relatively small, and aphoto-alignment layer having excellent thermal stability and temporalstability is easily obtained.

(1) Preferred Embodiment 1: Photoactive Compound Containing AzobenzeneGroup

As the photoactive compound containing an azobenzene group, aphotoactive compound represented by Formula (I) is particularlypreferable.

In the formula, R²¹ to R²⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atomor a substituent, where at least one of the groups represented by R²¹ toR²⁴ is a carboxyl group or a sulfo group, in represents an integer of 1to 4, n represents an integer of 1 to 4, o represents an integer of 1 to5, p represents an integer of 1 to 5, and a plurality of R²¹'s to R²⁴'smay be the same as or different from each other in a case where m, n, o,and p represent an integer of 2 or greater.

In Formula, examples of the substituent represented by R²¹ to R²⁴include the following groups.

Examples of the substituent include a carboxyl group (which may form asalt with an alkali metal, and a carboxyl group that does not form asalt or a carboxyl group that forms a sodium salt is preferable, and acarboxyl group that forms a sodium salt is more preferable), a sulfogroup (which may form a salt with an alkali metal, and a sulfo groupthat does not limn a salt or a sulfo group that forms a sodium salt ispreferable, and a sulfo group that forms a sodium salt is morepreferable), an alkyl group (having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 8carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methyl group, an ethylgroup, an isopropyl group, a tort-butyl group, an n-octyl group, ann-decyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentylgroup, and cyclohexyl group), alkenyl group (having preferably 2 to 20carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 12 carbon-atoms, and particularlypreferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a vinylgroup, an aryl group, a 2-butenyl group, and a 3-pentenyl group), analkynyl group (having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a propargyl group and a 3-pentynyl group), anaryl group (having preferably 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include a phenyl group, a 2,6-diethylphenyl group, a3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl group, a naphthyl group, and a biphenylgroup), and a substituted or unsubstituted amino group (havingpreferably 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 0 to 10 carbon atoms,and particularly preferably 0 to 6 carbon atoms and examples thereofinclude an unsubstituted amino group, a methylamino group, adimethylamino group, a diethylamino group, and an anilino group),

an alkoxy group (having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably1 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms,and examples thereof include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, and abutoxy group), an alkoxycarbonyl group (having preferably 2 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxycarbonylgroup and an ethoxycarbonyl group), an acyloxy group (having preferably2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereofinclude an acetoxy group and a benzoyloxy group), an acylamino group(having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 10 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and examplesthereof include an acetylamino group and a benzoylamino group), analkoxycarbonylamino group (having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 6carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxycarbonylaminogroup), an aryloxycarbonylamino group (having preferably 7 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably 7 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably7 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include aphenyloxycarbonylamino group), a sulfonylamino group (having preferably1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, andparticularly preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereofinclude a methanesulfonylamino group and a benzenesulfonylamino group),a sulfamoyl group (having preferably 0 to 20, more preferably 0 to 10carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 0 to 6 carbon atoms, andexamples thereof include an unsubstituted sulfamoyl group, amethylsulfamoyl group, a dimethylsulfamoyl group, and a phenylsulfamoylgroup), and a carbamoyl group (having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 6carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an unsubstituted carbamoylgroup, a methylcarbamoyl group, a diethylcarbamoyl group, and aphenylcarbamoyl group),

an alkylthio group (having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 6carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methylthio group and anethylthio group), an arylthio group (having preferably 6 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably 6 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably6 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a phenylthio group),a sulfonyl group (having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 6carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a mesyl group and a tosylgroup), a sulfinyl group (having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly 1 to 6 carbon atoms,and examples thereof include a methanesulfinyl group and abenzenesulfinyl group), a ureido group (having preferably 1 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably1 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an unsubstitutedureido group, a methyl ureido group, and a phenyl ureido group), aphosphoric acid amide group (having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms,more preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 6carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a diethyl phosphoric acidamide group and a phenyl phosphoric acid amide group), a hydroxy group,a mercapto group, a halogen atom (such as a fluorine atom, a chlorineatom, a bromine atom, or an iodine atom), a cyano group, a nitro group,a hydroxamic acid group, a sulfino group, a hydrazino group, an iminogroup, a heterocyclic group (having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms andmore preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include aheterocyclic group having heteroatoms such as nitrogen atoms, oxygenatoms, and sulfur atoms, and specific examples thereof include animidazolyl group, pyridyl group, a quinolyl group, a furyl group, apiperidyl group, a morpholino group, a benzoxazolyl group, abenzoimidazolyl group, and a benzothiazolyl group), and a silyl group(having preferably 3 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 30 carbonatoms, and particularly preferably 3 to 24 carbon atoms, and examplesthereof include a trimethylsilyl group and a triphenylsilyl group).

These substituents may be further substituted with these substituents.Further, in a case where two or more substituents are present, these maybe the same as or different from each other. Further, these may bebonded to each other to form a ring where possible. The grouprepresented by any of R²¹ to R²⁴ may be a polymerizable group or asubstituent containing a polymerizable group.

In Formula (I), as the group represented by any of R²¹ to R²⁴, from theviewpoint that the effects of the present invention are more excellent,a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group, a sulfo group, a halogen atom, analkyl group, an alkoxy group, a cyano group, a nitro group, analkoxycarbonyl group, or a carbamoyl group is preferable, a hydrogenatom, a carboxyl group, a sulfo group, a halogen atom, a halogenatedmethyl group, a halogenated methoxy group, a cyano group, a nitro group,or a methoxycarbonyl group is more preferable, and a hydrogen atom, acarboxyl group, a sulfo group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, or a nitrogroup is particularly preferable.

At least one of the groups represented by R²¹ to R²⁴ is a carboxyl groupor a sulfo group. The substitution position of the carboxyl group or thesulfo group is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint ofphotoactivation, it is preferable that at least one R²¹ and/or at leastone R²² represent a sulfo group and more preferable that at least oneR²¹ and at least one R²² represent a sulfo group. From the sameviewpoint as described above, it is preferable that at least one R²³ andor at least one R²⁴ represent a carboxyl group and more preferable thatat least one R²³ and at least one R²⁴ represent a carboxyl group. It isstill more preferable that R²³ and R²⁴ substituted at the meta positionwith respect to an azo group represent a carboxyl group.

In Formula (I), m represents an integer of 1 to 4, n represents aninteger of 1 to 4, o represents an integer of 1 to 5, and p representsan integer of 1 to 5. It is preferable that m represents an integer of 1or 2, n represents an integer of 1 or 2, o represents an integer of 1 or2, and p represents an integer of 1 or 2.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the compound represented by Formula(I) will be described below, but the present invention is not limited tothe following specific examples.

No. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ E-1  —SO₃Na —H —COOH —OH E-2  —H —SO₃Na —COOH —OH E-3 —SO₃Na —H —COONa —OH E-4  —H —SO₃Na —COONa —OH E-5  —CH₃ —H —COONa —OHE-6  —H —CH₃ —COONa —OH E-7  —H —OCH₃ —COONa —OH E-8  —H —OCF₃ —COONa—OH E-9  —H —Cl —COONa —OH E-10 —H —CN —COONa —OH E-11 —H —NO₂ —COONa—OH E-12 —COOCH₂ —H —COONa —OH E-13 —CONH₂ —H —COONa —OH E-14 —SO₂NH₂ —H—COONa —OH E-15 —SO₃Na —H —COONa —OH E-16 —SO₃Na —H —CH₂OH —OH E-17 —H—SO₃Na —CH₂OH —OH E-18 —SO₃Na —H —COOH

E-19 —H —SO₃Na —COOH

E-20 —CH₃ —H —COONa

E-21 —H —CH₃ —COONa

E-22 —SO₃Na —H —CF₃

E-23 —H —SO₃Na —CF₃

E-24 —SO₃Na —H —COOH

E-25 —CH₃ —H —COONa

E-26 —SO₃Na —H —CF₃

In the present invention, from the viewpoint that the degree ofalignment is excellent, as the compound containing an azo group(particularly, an azobenzene group) having a nitrogen-nitrogen doublebond (N═N bond), a low-molecular-weight compound represented by any ofFormulae E-1 to E-17 and containing no polarizable group having amolecular weight of 1000 or less is preferable.

(2) Preferred Embodiment 2: Photoactive Compound Containing CinnamoylGroup

As the photoactive compound containing a cinnamoyl group, a polymer ispreferable from the viewpoint that the influence of contact with thephoto-alignment layer is small.

Further, a polymer containing a cinnamoyl group and a crosslinkablegroup is preferable from the viewpoint that the influence of contactwith the photo-alignment layer is further reduced.

The crosslinkable group may be a group that is crosslinked by causing acrosslinking reaction, and examples thereof include a cationicallypolymerizable group such as an epoxy group, and a radicallypolymerizable group such as an acrylate or a methacrylate.

Further, in order to improve the adhesiveness, it is still morepreferable that the coating film of the photo-alignment layer containsboth a cationically polymerizable group and a radically polymerizablegroup from the viewpoint of being functionally separated and used.

Suitable examples of the polymer containing a cinnamoyl group and acrosslinkable group include a photo-alignment copolymer having arepeating unit A containing a cinnamoyl group represented by Formula (A)and a repeating unit B containing a crosslinkable group represented byFormula (B).

In Formula (A), R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. L¹represents a divalent linking group having a nitrogen atom and acycloalkane ring, and some carbon atoms constituting the cycloalkanering may be substituted with heteroatoms selected from the groupconsisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or asubstituent, and two adjacent groups from among R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶may be bonded to each other to form a ring.

In Formula (B), R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, L²represents a divalent linking group, and X represents a crosslinkable,group.

In the present invention, the solvent resistance of the photo-alignmentlayer to be obtained and the aligning properties of the polymer liquidcrystal compound (hereinafter, referred to as “liquid crystal aligningproperties”) during formation of the light absorption anisotropic layerare enhanced by using a photo-alignment copolymer having a repeatingunit A containing a cinnamoyl group represented by Formula (A) and arepeating unit B containing a crosslinkable group represented by Formula(B).

The reason for this is not clear, but the present inventors presume asfollows.

That is, it is considered that in a case where the divalent linkinggroup represented by L¹ in Formula (A) has a nitrogen atom and acycloalkane ring, the hydrogen bond properties and the molecularrigidity are enhanced so that molecular motion is suppressed, and thusthe solvent resistance is improved.

Similarly, it is considered that in a case where the divalent linkinggroup represented by L¹ in Formula (A) has a nitrogen atom and acycloalkane ring, the glass transition temperature of the copolymer isincreased, the temporal stability of the photo-alignment layer to beobtained is improved, and thus the liquid crystal aligning propertiesare enhanced regardless of the timing of formation of the opticallyanisotropic layer.

Next, the divalent linking group having a nitrogen atom and acycloalkane ring which is represented by L¹ in Formula (A) will bedescribed. In the present invention, as described above, some carbonatoms constituting the cycloalkane ring may be substituted with aheteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, andsulfur. Further, in a case where some carbon atoms constituting thecycloalkane ring are substituted with nitrogen atoms, the divalentlinking group may not have a nitrogen atom separately from thecycloalkane ring.

Further, as the cycloalkane ring contained in the divalent linking grouprepresented by L¹ in Formula (A), a cycloalkane ring having 6 or morecarbon atoms is preferable, and specific examples thereof is acyclohexane ring, a cycloheptane ring, a cyclooctane ring, acyclododecane ring, and a cyclodocosane ring.

In the present invention, from the viewpoint of further enhancing theliquid crystal aligning properties, it is preferable that L¹ in Formula(A) represents a divalent linking group represented by any of Formulae(1) to (10).

In Formulae (1) to (10), *1 represents a bonding position with respectto the carbon atom constituting the main chain in Formula (A), and *2represents a bonding position with respect to the carbon atomconstituting the carbonyl group in Formula (A).

Among the divalent linking groups represented by any of Formulae (1) to(10), from the viewpoint of enhancing the balance between the solubilityin a solvent used for forming the photo-alignment layer and the solventresistance of the photo-alignment layer to be obtained, a divalentlinking group represented by any of Formulae (2), (3), (7), and (8) ispreferable.

Next, the substituents represented by R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R in Formula(A) will be described. Further, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ in Formula (A)may represent a hydrogen atom in place of a substituent, as describedabove.

As the substituent represented by any one of R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ inFormula (A), from the viewpoint that the cinnamoyl group easilyinteracts with the liquid crystal compound and the liquid crystalaligning properties are further enhanced, a halogen atom, a linear,branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a linearhalogenated alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxy grouphaving 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms,an aryloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, a cyano group, an aminogroup, or a group represented by Formula (11) is preferable.

Here, in Formula (11), * represents a bonding position with respect tothe benzene ring in Formula (A), and R⁹ represents a monovalent organicgroup.

Examples of the halogen atom include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, abromine atom, and an iodine atom. Among these, a fluorine atom and achlorine atom are preferable.

In regard to the linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable asthe linear alkyl group, and specific examples thereof include a methylgroup, an ethyl group, and an n-propyl group.

An alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable as the branchedalkyl group, and specific examples thereof include an isopropyl groupand a tert-butyl group.

An alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable as the cyclicalkyl group, and specific examples thereof include a cyclopropyl group,a cyclopentyl group, and a cyclohexyl group.

As the linear halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, afluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferable, and specificexamples thereof include a trifluoromethyl group, a perfluoroethylgroup, a perfluoropropyl group, and a perfluorobutyl group. Among these,a trifluoromethyl group is preferable.

As the alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having1 to 1.8 carbon atoms is preferable, an alkoxy group having 6 to 18carbon atoms is more preferable, and an alkoxy group having 6 to 14carbon atoms is still more preferable. Specific suitable examplesthereof include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an n-butoxy group, amethoxyethoxy group, an n-hexyloxy group, an n-octyloxy group, ann-decyloxy group, an n-dodecyloxy group, and an n-tetradecyloxy group.Among these, an n-hexyloxy group, an n-octyloxy group, an n-decyloxygroup, an n-dodecyloxy group, and an n-tetradecyloxy group are morepreferable.

An aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms is preferable as the arylgroup having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and specific examples thereof includea phenyl group, an α-methylphenyl group, and a naphthyl group. Amongthese, a phenyl group is preferable.

An aryloxy group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms is preferable as thearyloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and specific examples thereofinclude a phenyloxy group and a 2-naphthyloxy group. Among these, aphenyloxy group is preferable.

Examples of the amino group include a primary amino group (—NH₂), asecondary amino group such as a methylamino group, and a tertiary aminogroup such as a dimethylamino group, a diethylamine group, adibenzylamino group, or a group having a nitrogen atom of anitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (for example, pyrrolidine,piperidine, or piperazine) as a bonding site.

In regard to the group represented by Formula (11), examples of themonovalent organic group represented by R⁹ in Formula (11) include alinear or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

As the linear alkyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms ispreferable, and specific examples thereof include a methyl group, anethyl group, and an n-propyl group. Among these, a methyl group or anethyl group is preferable.

As the cyclic alkyl group, an alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms ispreferable, and specific examples thereof include a cyclopropyl group, acyclopentyl group, and a cyclohexyl group.

Among these, a cyclohexyl group is preferable.

As the monovalent organic group represented by R⁹ in Formula (11), acombination of a plurality of the linear alkyl groups and a plurality ofthe cyclic alkyl groups described above directly or via a single bondmay be used.

In the present invention, it is preferable that at least R⁴ among R²,R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ in Formula (A) represents the above-describedsubstituent from the viewpoint that the cinnamoyl group easily interactswith the liquid crystal compound and the liquid crystal aligningproperties are further enhanced and more preferable that all R², R³, R⁵,and R⁶ represent a hydrogen atom from the viewpoint that the linearityof the photo-alignment copolymer to be obtained is improved, thecinnamoyl group easily interacts with the liquid crystal compound, andthe liquid crystal aligning properties are further enhanced.

In the present invention, from the viewpoint of improving the reactionefficiency in a case of irradiating the photo-alignment layer to beobtained with light, it is preferable that R⁴ in Formula (A) representsan electron-donating substituent.

Here, the electron-donating substituent (electron-donating group) is asubstituent having a Hammett's value (Hammett's substituent constant σpvalue) of 0 or less, and among the above-described substituents, analkyl group, a halogenated alkyl group, and an alkoxy group areexemplified.

Among these, an alkoxy group is preferable, an alkoxy group having 6 to16 carbon atoms is more preferable from the viewpoint that the liquidcrystal aligning properties are further enhanced, and an alkoxy grouphaving 7 to 10 carbon atoms is still more preferable.

Next, the divalent linking group represented by L² in Formula (B) willbe described.

From the viewpoint that the cinnamoyl group easily interacts with theliquid crystal compound and the liquid crystal aligning properties arefurther enhanced, as the divalent linking group, a divalent linkinggroup obtained by combining at least two or more groups selected fromthe group consisting of a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene grouphaving 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, an arylenegroup having 6 to 12 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, an ethergroup (—O—) a carbonyl group (—C(═O)—), and an imino group (—NH—) whichmay have a substituent is preferable.

Here, examples of the substituent that the alkylene group, the amylenegroup, and the imino group may have include a halogen atom, an alkylgroup, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group,a carboxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, and a hydroxyl group.

Examples of the halogen atom include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, abromine atom, and an iodine atom. Among these, a fluorine atom and achlorine atom are preferable.

As the alkyl group, for example, a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylgroup having 1 to 18 carbon atoms is preferable, an alkyl group having 1to 8 carbon atoms (such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propylgroup, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, asec-butyl group, a t-butyl group, or a cyclohexyl group) is morepreferable, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is still morepreferable, and a methyl group or an ethyl group is particularlypreferable.

As the alkoxy group, for example, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbonatoms is preferable, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms (such asa methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an n-butoxy group, or a methoxyethoxygroup) is more preferable, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms isstill more preferable, and a method group or an ethoxy group isparticularly preferable.

Examples of the aryl group include an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbonatoms, and specific examples thereof include a phenyl group, anα-methylphenyl group, and a naphthyl group. Among these, a phenyl groupis preferable.

Examples of the aryloxy group include phenoxy, naphthoxy, imidazolyloxy,benzimidazolyloxy, pyridine-4-yloxy, pyrimidinyloxy, quinazolinyloxy,purinyloxy, and thiophene-3-yloxy.

Examples of the alkoxycarbonyl group include methoxycarbonyl andethoxycarbonyl.

In regard to the linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to18 carbon atoms, specific examples of the linear alkylene group includesa methylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group, a butylenegroup, a pentylene group, a hexylene group, a decylene group, anundecylene group, a dodecylene group, a tridecylene group, atetradecylene group, a pentadecylene group, a hexadecylene group, aheptadecylene group, and an octadecylene group.

Further, specific examples of the branched alkylene group include adimethylmethylene group, a methylethylene group, a 2,2-dimethylpropylenegroup, and a 2-ethyl-2-methylpropylene group.

Further, specific examples of the cyclic alkylene group include acyclopropylene group, a cyclobutylene group, a cyclopentylene group, acyclohexylene group, a cyclooctylene group, a cyclodecylene group, anadamantane-diyl group, a norbornane-diyl group, and anexo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene-diyl group. Among these, a cyclohexylenegroup is preferable.

Specific examples of the arylene group having 6 to 12 carbon atomsinclude a phenylene group, a xylylene group, a biphenylene group, anaphthylene group, and a 2,2′-methylenebisphenyl group. Among these, aphenylene group is preferable.

Next, the crosslinkable group represented by X in Formula (B) will bedescribed.

Specific examples of X (crosslinkable group) in Formula (B) include anepoxy group, an epoxycyclohexyl group, an oxetanyl group, and afunctional group having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond. Amongthese, at least one crosslinkable group selected from the groupconsisting of crosslinkable groups represented by Formulae (X1) to (X4)is preferable.

In Formulae (X1) to (X4), * represents a bonding position with respectto L² in Formula (B), and R⁸ represents any of a hydrogen atom, a methylgroup, or an ethyl group in Formula (X4), S represents a functionalgroup having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond.

Here, specific examples of the functional group having an ethylenicallyunsaturated double bond include a vinyl group, an allyl group, a styrylgroup, acryloyl group, and a methacryloyl group. Among these, anacryloyl group or a methacryloyl group is preferable.

In the present invention, from the viewpoint of increasing the strengthof the optical laminate to be obtained and enhancing the handleabilityin a case of forming other layers using the optical laminate to beobtained, it is preferable that the repeating unit B includes arepeating unit in which X in Formula (B) represents a crosslinkablegroup represented by any one of Formulae (X1) to (X3) (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as a “repeating unit B1”) and a repeating unit in which X inFormula (B) represents a crosslinkable group represented by Formula (X4)(hereinafter, also referred to as a “repeating unit B2”).

Specific examples of the repeating unit A containing a cinnamoyl grouprepresented by Formula (A) include the following repeating units A-1 toA-44. In the following formulae, Me represents a methyl group, and Etrepresents an ethyl group. In the following specific examples, the“1,4-cyclohexyl group” contained in the divalent linking group of eachof the repeating units A-1 to A-10 may be any of a cis form or atransformer form and is preferably a transformer form.

Specific examples of the repeating Unit B (repeating unit B1) containinga crosslinkable group represented by Formula (9) include repeating unitsB-1 to 9-17 shown below.

Further, specific examples of the repeating unit B (repeating unit B2)containing a crosslinkable group represented by Formula (B) includerepeating units B-18 to B-47 shown below.

In the photo-alignment copolymer, a content a of the repeating unit Adescribed above and a content b of the repeating unit B described abovesatisfy preferably Expression (12), more preferably Expression (13),still more preferably Expression (14), and particularly preferablyExpression (15) in terms of the mass ratio.

$\begin{matrix}{0.03 \leq {a/\left( {a + b} \right)} \leq 0.5} & (12) \\{0.03 \leq {a/\left( {a + b} \right)} \leq 0.3} & (13) \\{0.03 \leq {a/\left( {a + b} \right)} \leq 0.2} & (14) \\{0.05 \leq {a/\left( {a + b} \right)} \leq 0.2} & (15)\end{matrix}$

Further, in a case where the photo-alignment copolymer has the repeatingunit B1 described above and the repeating unit B2 described above, fromthe viewpoint of further increasing the strength of the opticallyanisotropic layer including the photo-alignment layer while maintainingsatisfactory liquid crystal aligning properties and adhesiveness, thecontent a of the repeating unit A described above, a content b1 of therepeating unit B1 described above, and a content b2 of the repeatingunit B2 described above satisfy preferably Expression (16), morepreferably Expression (17), and still more preferably Expression (18) interms of the mass ratio.

$\begin{matrix}{0.05 \leq {b\;{2/\left( {a + {b\; 1} + {b\; 2}} \right)}} \leq 0.7} & (16) \\{0.10 \leq {b\;{2/\left( {a + {b\; 1} + {b\; 2}} \right)}} \leq 0.5} & (17) \\{0.12 \leq {b\;{2/\left( {a + {b\; 1} + {b\; 2}} \right)}} \leq 0.35} & (18)\end{matrix}$

The photo-alignment copolymer may have repeating units other than therepeating unit A and the repeating unit B described above as long as theeffects of the present invention are not impaired.

Examples of the monomer (radical polymerizable monomer) forming suchrepeating units include an acrylic acid ester compound, a methacrylicacid ester compound, a maleimide compound, an acrylamide compound,acrylonitrile, a maleic acid anhydride, a styrene compound, and a vinylcompound.

A method of synthesizing the photo-alignment copolymer is notparticularly limited, and für example, the photo-alignment copolymer canbe synthesized by mixing a monomer forming the repeating unit Adescribed above, a monomer forming the repeating unit B described above,and monomer forming any other repeating units and polymerizing themixture in an organic solvent using a radically polymerizationinitiator.

From the viewpoint of further improving the liquid crystal aligningproperties, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of thephoto-alignment copolymer is preferably in a range of 10000 to 500000and more preferably in a range of 30000 to 300000.

In a case where the photo-alignment copolymer is used, the content ofthe photo-alignment copolymer in the composition for forming aphoto-alignment layer is not particularly limited, but in a case wherethe composition contains an organic solvent, the content thereof ispreferably in a range of 0.1 to 50 parts by mass and more preferably ina range of 0.5 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass ofthe organic solvent.

(Additive)

The composition for forming a photo-alignment layer may contain one ormore additives other than the photoactive compound. For example, theadditive is added for the purpose of adjusting the refractive index ofthe composition for forming a photo-alignment layer. As the additive, acompound containing a hydrophilic group and a (meth)acryloyloxy group ispreferable from the viewpoint of the compatibility with the photoactivecompound, and the additive can be added to the extent that the alignmentability is not significantly reduced. Examples of the hydrophilic groupinclude a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfo group, and an aminogroup.

(Organic Solvent)

From the viewpoint of the workability for preparing a photo-alignmentlayer, it is preferable that the composition for forming aphoto-alignment layer contains an organic solvent.

Specific examples of the organic solvent include ketones (such asacetone, 2-butanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, andcyclopentanone), ethers (such as dioxane and tetrahydrofuran), aliphatichydrocarbons (such as hexane), alicyclic hydrocarbons (suck ascyclohexane), aromatic hydrocarbons (such as toluene, xylene, andtrimethylbenzene), carbon halides (such as dichloromethane,dichloroethane, dichlorobenzene, and chlorotoluene), esters (such asmethyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate), water, alcohols (suchas ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, and cyclohexanol), cellosolve (such asmethylcellosolve and ethyl cellosolve), cellosolve acetates, sulfoxides(such as dimethylsulfoxide), and amides (such as dimethylformamide anddimethylacetamide), and such solvents may be used alone or incombination of two or more kinds thereof.

The composition for forming a photo-alignment layer may containcomponents other than the above-described components, and examplesthereof include a crosslinking catalyst (such as a thermally reactiveacid generator), an adhesion improver, a leveling agent, a surfactant,and a plasticizer.

In a case where the additive is used for the purpose of adjusting therefractive index of the composition for forming a photo-alignment layer,the refractive index of the additive is preferably in a range of 1.4 to1.6 and more preferably in a range of 1.4 to 1.55.

In the present invention, from the viewpoint of enhancing theadhesiveness between the photo-alignment layer and the light absorptionanisotropic layer, it is preferable that the composition for forming aphoto-alignment layer is a composition containing a compound (such asthe photo-alignment copolymer described above) that contains aphotoreactive group and a crosslinkable group and containing no radicalpolymerization initiator,

(Coating Method)

As a method of coating the above-described polymer film with thecomposition for forming a photo-alignment layer, known methods, forexample, a coating method such as a spin coating method, an extrusionmethod, a gravure coating method, a die coating method, a bar coatingmethod, or an applicator method and a printing method such as aflexographic method are employed.

In a case where the optical laminate is produced by a Roll-to-Roll typecontinuous production method, a printing method such as a gravurecoating method, a die coating method, or a flexographic method istypically employed as the coating method.

<Drying Step>

A method of heating the coating film formed by the coating step so thatthe coating film is dried is not particularly limited, and the dryingtemperature is preferably in a range of 50° C. to 180° C. and morepreferably in a range of 80° C. to 150° C.

The drying time is preferably in a range of 10 seconds to 10 minutes andmore preferably in a range of 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

In a case where the composition for forming a photo-alignment layercontains a compound containing a crosslinking catalyst such as athermally reactive acid generator and a cationically polymerizablecrosslinkable group, it is preferable that curing of the coating film ispromoted by the crosslinking reaction by being heated.

<Light Irradiation Step>

The polarized light to be applied to the coating film after the dryingstep is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include linearlypolarized light, circularly polarized light, and elliptically polarizedlight. Among these, linearly polarized light is preferable.

Further, the “diagonal direction” in which non-polarized light isapplied is not particularly limited as long as the direction is inclinedat a polar angle θ (0<θ<90°) with respect to the normal direction of thesurface of the coating film, and the polar angle θ can be appropriatelyselected depending on the purpose thereof, but is preferably in a rangeof 20° to 80°.

In the present specification, the “irradiation with linearly polarizedlight” and the “irradiation with non-polarized light” are operations forcausing a photoreaction in the photoactive compound. The wavelength ofthe light to be used varies depending on the photoactive compound to beused and is not particularly limited as long as the wavelength isrequired for the photoreaction. The peak wavelength of light to be usedfor irradiation with light is preferably in a range of 200 nm to 700 nm,and ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 400 nm or less is morepreferable.

Examples of the light source used for irradiation with light includecommonly used light sources, for example, lamps such as a tungsten lamp,a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a xenon flash lamp, a mercury lamp, amercury xenon lamp, or a carbon arc lamp, various lasers [such as asemiconductor laser, a helium neon laser, an argon ion laser, a heliumcadmium laser, and a yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser], a lightemitting diode, and a cathode ray tube.

As means for obtaining linearly polarized light, a method of using apolarizing plate (for example, an iodine polarizing plate, a dichroicdye polarizing plate, or a wire grid polarizing plate), a method ofusing a prism-based element (for example, a Ulan-Thompson prism) or areflective type polarizer for which a Brewster's angle is used, or amethod of using light emitted from a laser light source having polarizedlight can be employed. In addition, only light having a requiredwavelength may be selectively applied using a filter or a wavelengthconversion element.

In a case where light to be applied is linearly polarized light, amethod of applying light vertically or obliquely to the upper surfacewith respect to the alignment layer or the surface of the alignmentlayer from the rear surface is employed. The incidence angle of lightvaries depending on the photoactive compound, but is preferably in arange of 0° to 90° (vertical) and more preferably in a range of 40° to90°.

In a case where light to be applied is non-polarized light, thealignment layer is irradiated with non-polarized light obliquely. Theincidence angle thereof is preferably in a range of 10° to 80°, morepreferably in a range of 20° to 60°, and still more preferably in arange of 30° to 50°.

The irradiation time is preferably in a range of 1 minute to 60 minutesand more preferably in a range of 1 minute to 10 minutes.

In a case where patterning is required, a method of performingirradiation with light using a photomask as many times as necessary forpattern preparation or a method of writing a pattern by laser lightscanning can be employed.

It is preferable that the photo-alignment layer used in the presentinvention is an alignment layer having an average refractive index of1.55 or greater and 1.8 or less at a wavelength of 550 nm. From theviewpoint of further improving the antireflection performance, theaverage refractive index at a wavelength of 550 nm is more preferably ina range of 1.55 to 1.7 in order to reduce a difference in the refractiveindex between the photo-alignment layer and the light absorptionanisotropic layer.

Further, in the photo-alignment layer used in the present invention, thein-plane refractive index anisotropy Δn at a wavelength of 550 μm ispreferably 0.05 or greater and 0.45 or less. The in-plane refractiveindex anisotropy Δn at a wavelength of 550 am is more preferably 0.1 orgreater and 0.4 or less and still more preferably 0.1 or greater and 0.3or less.

By appropriately controlling the refractive index anisotropy of thephoto-alignment layer, the antireflection function can be furtherimproved.

[Rubbing Treatment Alignment Layer]

A rubbing treatment alignment layer is a layer o which an alignmentregulation force is applied by a rubbing treatment.

A polymer material used for the rubbing treatment alignment layer isdescribed in a plurality of documents, and a plurality of commerciallyavailable products can be used. In the present invention, polyvinylalcohol or polyimide and derivatives thereof are preferably used. As thealignment layer, the description on page 43, line 24 to page 49, line 8of WO2001/88574A1 can be referred to,

[Thickness of Alignment Layer]

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, the thickness of the alignment layer is preferably in a rangeof 0.05 to 10 μm, more preferably in a range of 0.1 to 0.5 μm, and stillmore preferably in a range of 0.2 to 3 μm.

[Cured Layer]

The laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention mayinclude a cured layer having a thickness of 1.00 nm or less for thepurpose of reducing a difference in refractive index between thespecific polarizer layer and the adjacent layer. It is preferable thatthe laminate include the cured layer on the specific polarizer layer ona side opposite to the alignment layer (particularly, thephoto-alignment layer).

Such a cured layer is not particularly limited, and various known layerscan be used. Examples of such a cured layer include a layer containing aliquid crystal compound and a layer obtained by curing a compositioncontaining a polyfunctional monomer. It is preferable that the curedlayer has a refractive index that enables index matching with theoptically anisotropic layer (particularly, the light absorptionanisotropic layer).

[Oxygen Blocking Layer]

The laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention mayinclude an oxygen blocking layer for the purpose of improving lightresistance. It is preferable that the laminate includes the oxygenblocking layer on any one or both on a side of the alignment layer(particularly, the photo-alignment layer) opposite to the specificpolarizer layer and on a side of the specific polarizer layer oppositeto the alignment layer (particularly, the photo-alignment layer). In thefollowing description, the oxygen blocking layer on the side of thealignment layer (particularly, the photo-alignment layer) opposite tothe specific polarizer layer is also referred to as an “oxygen blockinglayer 1” and the oxygen blocking layer on the side of the specificpolarizer layer opposite to the alignment layer (particularly, thephoto-alignment layer) is also referred to as an “oxygen blocking layer2”.

The “oxygen blocking layer” is an oxygen blocking film with an oxygenblocking function, and specific examples thereof include layerscontaining organic compounds such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylenevinyl alcohol, polyvinyl ether, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylamide,polyacrylic acid, cellulose ether, polyamide, polyimide, astyrene/maleic acid copolymer, gelatin, vinylidene chloride, andcellulose nanofibers.

In the present specification, the oxygen blocking function is notlimited to a function for making a state where oxygen is not allowed topass at all, and also includes a function for making a state where asmall amount of oxygen is allowed to pass depending on the desiredperformance.

In a case where an oxygen blocking layer is provided on a transparentpolymer film and a photo-alignment layer containing an azobenzenecompound represented by Formula (1) is provided on the oxygen blockinglayer, from the viewpoint of enhancing the aligning properties, it ispreferable that polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of 95mol % or greater or modified polyvinyl alcohol having a saponificationdegree of 95 mol % or greater is used as the oxygen blocking layer.

Further, examples of the oxygen blocking layer also include a thin layerconsisting of a metal compound (metal compound thin layer). As a methodof forming the metal compound thin layer, any method can be used as longas a desired thin layer can be formed. Suitable examples thereof includea sputtering method, a vacuum deposition method, an ion plating method,and a plasma chemical vapor deposition (CND) method. Specifically, theforming methods described in JP3400324B, SP2002-322561A, andJP2002-361774A can be employed.

The component contained in the metal compound thin layer is notparticularly limited as long as the component can exhibit an oxygenblocking function, and an oxide, a nitride, an oxynitride, or the likecontaining one or more metals selected from Si, Al, In, Sn, Zn, Ti, Cu,Ce, Ta and the like can be used. Among these, an oxide, a nitride, or anoxynitride of a metal selected from Si, Al, In, Sn, Zn, and Ti ispreferable, and a metal oxide, a nitride, or an oxynitride selected fromSi, Al, Sn, and Ti is particularly preferable. These may contain otherelements as secondary components.

Further, the oxygen blocking layer may be in the form of lamination ofthe layer containing an organic material and the metal compound thinlayer as described in, for example, US6413645B, JP2015-226995A,JP2013-202971A, JP2003-335880A, JP1978-12953A (JP-S53-12953A), andJP1983-217344A (JP-S58-217344A) and may be a layer obtained byhybridizing an organic compound and an inorganic compound as describedin WO2011/11836A, JP2013-248832A, and JP3855004B.

The oxygen blocking layer may also serve as an alignment layer of anoptically anisotropic layer having a λ/4 function. In such a case, anoxygen blocking layer containing polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide, orpolyimide is preferable.

[Thickness of Oxygen Blocking Layer]

In a case of the layer containing an organic compound, from theviewpoint that the effects of the present invention are more excellent,the thickness of the oxygen blocking layer is preferably in a range of0.1 to 10 μm and more preferably in a range of 0.5 to 5.5 μm. In a caseof the metal compound thin layer, the thickness of the oxygen blockinglayer is preferably in a range of 5 mm to 500 nm and more preferably ina range of 10 nm to 200 nm from the viewpoint that the effects of thepresent invention are more excellent.

[UV Absorbing Layer]

It is preferable that the laminate according to the embodiment of thepresent invention includes a functional layer (UV absorbing layer)having a function of reducing short wave light on the side of the glassplate with respect to the specific polarizer layer. By reducing shortwave light, an optical laminate that suppresses photodecomposition of adye compound and has excellent light resistance can be provided.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the above-described cohesiveadhesive layer or oxygen blocking layer has a function of reducing shortwave light.

As another aspect, it is also preferable that a layer having a functionof reducing short wave light is newly provided on the viewing side withrespect to the specific polarizer layer.

A method of reducing short wave light is not particularly limited, andexamples thereof include a method of applying light absorption using anabsorbing agent or the like and a method of applying wavelengthselective reflection using a multilayer film.

The above-described short wave light is light having a wavelength of 430nm or less. By reducing the light having a wavelength of 430 nm or less,photodecomposition of a dye compound due to sunlight or light from alight source used in the light resistance test of JIS B 7751 and JIS B7754 can be suppressed.

Further, it is preferable to be transparent in a wavelength range of 450nm or greater so as not to affect the performance of the polarizer invisible light.

From the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are moreexcellent, the UV absorbing layer is a UV absorbing layer that has anabsorbance of 0.5 or greater at a wavelength of 360 nm and a wavelengthof 400 nm.

[Touch Sensor]

The laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention mayinclude a touch sensor inside. In this case, it is preferable that thetouch sensor is provided between the above-described specific glassplate and the above-described first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

[9] Applications

The laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention can beused as a polarizing element (polarizing plate), and is useful as, forexample, an optical laminate for antireflection. In particular, thelaminate is useful as an optical laminate for an organic EL displaydevice used in a foldable device.

[10] Substituent W

The substituent W in the present specification will be described.

Examples of the substituent W include a halogen atom, an alkyl group(such as a tort-butyl group) (including a cycloalkyl group, abicycloalkyl group, and a tricycloalkyl group), an alkenyl group(including a cycloalkenyl group and a bicycloalkenyl group), an alkynylgroup, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a cyano group, a hydroxygroup, a nitro group, a carboxy group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxygroup, a silyloxy group, a heterocyclic oxy group, an acyloxy group, acarbamoyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryloxycarbonyloxygroup, an amino group (including an anilino group), an ammonium group,an acylamino group, an aminocarbonylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylaminogroup, an aryloxycarbonylamino group, a sulfamoylamino group, an Alkylor arylsulfonylamino group, a mercapto group, an alkylthio group, anarylthio group, a heterocyclic thio group, a sulfamoyl group, a sulfagroup, an alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, an alkyl or arylsulfonyl group,an acyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, acarbamoyl, an amyl oar heterocyclic azo group, an imide group, aphosphine group, a phosphinyl group, a phosphinyloxy group, aphosphinylamino group, a phosphono group, a silyl group, a hydrazinegroup, a ureido group, a boronic acid group (—B(OH)₂), a phosphate group(—OPO(OH)₂), a sulfate group (—OSO₃H), and other known substituents.

The details of the substituent are described in paragraph [0023] ofJP2007-234651A.

[II] Organic EL Display Device

The organic EL display device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention is an organic EL display device having the laminate accordingto the embodiment of the present invention. As the organic EL displaydevice according to the embodiment of the present invention, anembodiment of a display device including the above-described opticallaminate according to the embodiment of the present invention and anorganic EL display panel in order from the viewing side is suitablyexemplified.

Further, the organic EL display panel is a display panel formed using anorganic EL element having an organic light-emitting layer (organicelectroluminescence layer) interposed between electrodes (between acathode and an anode). The configuration of the organic EL display panelis not particularly limited, and a known configuration is employed.

[III] Foldable Device

The foldable device according to the embodiment of the present inventionis a foldable device formed of the organic EL display device accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail withreference to examples. Materials, used amounts, ratios, treatmentcontents, treatment procedures, and the like described in the followingexamples can be appropriately changed without departing from the spiritof the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present inventionshould not be limitatively interpreted by the following examples.

[Preparation of Cellulose Acylate Film]

Cellulose acylate films 1 and 2 were prepared as follows.

[Preparation of Cellulose Acylate Film 1]

A cellulose acylate film 1 was prepared in the following manner.

<Preparation of Core Layer Cellulose Acylate Dope>

The following composition was put into a mixing tank and stirred todissolve each component, thereby preparing a cellulose acetate solutionused as a core layer cellulose acylate done,

Core layer cellulose acylate dope Cellulose acetate having acetylsubstitution degree of 2.88: 100 parts by mass Polyester compound Bdescribed in example of JP2015-227955B: 12 parts by mass Compound Fshown below: 2 parts by mass Methylene chloride (first solvent): 430parts by mass Methanol (second solvent): 64 parts by mass Compound F

<Preparation of Outer Layer Cellulose Acylate Dope>

10 parts by mass of the following matting agent solution was added to 90parts by mass of the above-described core layer cellulose acylate dope,thereby preparing a cellulose acetate solution used as an outer layercellulose acylate dope.

Matting agent solution Silica particles with average particle size of  2parts by mass 20 nm (A.EROSIL R972, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co,,Ltd.): Methylene chloride (first solvent): 76 parts by mass Methanol(second solvent): 11 parts by mass Core layer cellulose acylate dopedescribed  1 parts by mass above:

<Preparation of Cellulose Acylate Film 1>

The core layer cellulose acylate dope and the outer layer celluloseacylate dope were filtered through filter paper having an average poresize of 34 μm and a sintered metal filter having an average pore size of10 μm, and three layers which were the core layer cellulose acylate dopeand the outer layer cellulose acylate dopes provided on both sides ofthe core layer cellulose acylate dope were simultaneously cast from acasting port onto a drum at 20° C. (band casting machine).

Next, the film was peeled off in a state where the solvent content wasapproximately 20% by mass, both ends of the film, in the width directionwere fixed by tenter clips, and the film was dried while being stretchedat a stretching ratio of 1.1 times in the lateral direction.

Thereafter, the film was further dried by being transported between therolls of the heat treatment device to prepare an optical film having athickness of 40 μm, and the optical film was used as a cellulose acylatefilm 1. The in-plane retardation of the obtained cellulose acylate film1 was 0 nm.

[Preparation of Cellulose Acylate Film 2]

A cellulose acylate film 2 was prepared in the same manner as that forthe cellulose acylate film 1 except that the thickness thereof was setto 25 μm.

Example 1

A laminate of Example 1 was prepared as follows.

[Preparation of Laminate 1B]

First, as described below, a laminate 1B including the cellulose acylatefilm 1, the photo-alignment layer PA1, the liquid crystal layer P1, thecured layer N1, and the oxygen blocking layer B1 adjacent to each otherin this order was prepared.

<Preparation of TAC Film Provided with Photo-Alignment Layer>

The cellulose acylate film 1 was continuously coated with a coatingsolution PA1 for forming an alignment layer described below with a wirebar. The support on which a coating film was formed was dried with warmair at 140° C. for 120 seconds, and the coating film was irradiated withpolarized ultraviolet rays (10 mJ/cm², using an ultra-high pressuremercury lamp) to form a photo-alignment layer PA1, thereby obtaining aTAC film provided with a photo-alignment layer.

The thickness d of the photo-alignment layer PA1 was 1.0 μm.

(Coating solution PA1 for forming alignment layer)    Polymer PA-1 shownbelow: 100.00 parts by mass    Acid generator PAG-1 shown below: 5.00parts by mass    Acid generator CPI-110TF shown below: 0.005 parts bymass    Xylene: 1220.00 parts by mass    Methyl isobutyl ketone: 122.00parts by mass Polymer PA-1

Acid generator PAG-1

Acid generator CPI-110TF

<Formation of Liquid Crystal Layer P1>

A coating layer P1 was formed by continuously coating thephoto-alignment layer PA1 of the obtained TAC film provided with thephoto-alignment layer with the following composition P1 for forming aliquid crystal layer using a wire bar.

Next, the coating layer P1 was heated at 140° C. for 30 seconds, and thecoating layer P1 was cooled to room temperature (23° C.).

Next, the coating layer was heated at 90° C. for 60 seconds and cooledto room temperature again.

Thereafter, a liquid crystal layer P1 (polarizer layer) was formed onthe photo-alignment layer PA1 by irradiation with light (centerwavelength of 365 nm) of a light emitting diode (LED) for 2 secondsunder an irradiation condition of an illuminance of 200 mW/cm². Thethickness of the liquid crystal layer P1 was 0.4 μm.

Composition of composition P1 for forming liquid crystal layer Dichroicmaterial D-1 shown below: 0.36 parts by mass Dichroic material D-2 shownbelow: 0.53 parts by mass Dichroic material D-3 shown below: 0.31 partsby mass Polymer liquid crystal compound P-1 shown below: 3.58 parts bymass Polymerization initiator IRGACURE OXE-02 (manufactured by BASF SE):0.050 parts by mass Surfactant F-1 shown below: 0.026 parts by massCyclopentanone: 45.00 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran: 45.00 parts by massBenzyl alcohol: 5.00 parts by mass D-1

D-2

D-3

Polymer liquid crystal compound P-1

Surfactant F-1

<Formation of Cured Layer N1>

The formed liquid crystal layer P1 was continuously coated with thefollowing composition N1 for forming a cured layer using a wire bar,thereby forming a cured layer N1.

Thereafter, the cured layer N1 was dried at room temperature andirradiated using a high-pressure mercury lamp under an irradiationcondition of an illuminance of 28 mW/cm² for 15 seconds, therebypreparing a cured layer N1 on the liquid crystal layer P1.

The film thickness of the cured layer N1 was 0.05 μm (50 nm).

Composition of composition N1 for forming a cured layer Mixture L1 ofrod-like liquid crystal compounds shown below: 2.61 parts by massModified trimethylolpropane triacrylate shown below: 0.11 parts by massPhotopolymerization initiator I-1 shown below: 0.05 parts by massInterface improver F-3 shown below: 0.21 parts by mass Methyl isobutylketone: 297 parts by mass Mixture L1 of rod-like liquid crystalcompounds (the numerical values in the following formulae are denoted inunits of % by mass, and R represents a group bonded with respect to anoxygen atom).

Modified trimethylolpropane triacrylate Modified trimethylolpropanetriacrylate

Photopolymerization initiator I-1

Interface improver F-3

<Formation of Oxygen Blocking Layer B1>

The formed cured layer N1 was continuously coated with a coatingsolution having the following composition (composition B1 for forming anoxygen blocking layer) using a wire bar. Thereafter, the cured layer wasdried with warns air at 100° C. for 2 minutes, thereby forming apolyvinyl alcohol (PVA) alignment layer (oxygen blocking layer B1)having a thickness of 1.0 μm on the cured layer N1.

In this manner, a laminate 1B including the cellulose acylate film 1,the photo-alignment layer PA1, the liquid crystal layer P1, the curedlayer N1, and the oxygen blocking layer B1 adjacent to each other inthis order was obtained.

Composition of composition B1 for forming oxygen blocking layer Modifiedpolyvinyl alcohol shown below: 3.80 parts by mass Polymerizationinitiator IRGACURE 2959 (manufactured by BASE SE): 0.20 parts by massWater: 70 parts by mass Methanol: 30 parts by mass Modified polyvinylalcohol

[Preparation of TAC Film A1 Having Positive A-Plate A1]

The cellulose acylate film 1 was continuously coated with a coatingsolution. PA2 for forming an alignment layer described below with a wireher. The support on which a coating film was formed was dried with warmair at 10° C. for 120 seconds, and the coating film was irradiated withpolarized ultraviolet rays (10 mJ/cm², using an ultra-high pressuremercury lamp) to form a photo-alignment layer PA2 having a thickness of0.2 μm, thereby obtaining a TAC film provided with a photo-alignmentlayer.

The photo-alignment layer PA2 was coated with the composition A-1 havingthe composition described below using a bar coater. The coating filmformed on the photo-alignment layer PA2 was heated to 120° C. with warmair, cooled to 60° C., irradiated with ultraviolet rays at a wavelengthof 365 am with an illuminance of 100 mJ/cm² using a high-pressuremercury lamp in a nitrogen atmosphere, and continuously irradiated withultraviolet rays with an illuminance of 500 mJ/cm² while being heated at120° C. so that the alignment of the liquid crystal compound was fixed,thereby preparing a TAC film A1 having a positive A-plate A1.

The thickness of the positive A-plate A1 was 2.5 μm, and Re(550) was 144nm. Further, the positive. A-plate A1 satisfied the relationship of“Re(450)≤Re(550)≤Re(650)”. Re(450)/Re(550) was 0.82.

(Coating solution PA2 for forming alignment layer)   Polymer PA-2 shownbelow: 100.00 parts by mass Acid generator PAG-1 shown below: 5.00 partsby mass Acid generator CPI-110TF shown below: 0.005 parts by massIsopropyl alcohol: 16.50 parts by mass Butyl acetate: 1072.00 parts bymass Methyl ethyl ketone: 268.00 parts by mass Polymer PA-2

(Composition A-1) Polymerizable liquid crystal compound L-1 shown below:43.50 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystal compound L-2 shownbelow: 43.50 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystal compound L-3shown below: 8.00 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystal compoundL-4 shown below: 5.00 parts by mass Photopolymerization initiator PI-1shown below: 0.55 parts by mass Leveling agent T-1: 0.20 parts by massCyclopentanone: 235.00 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalcompound L-1 (tBu represents a tertiary butyl group)

Polymerizable liquid crystal compound L-2

Polymerizable liquid crystal compound L-3

Polymerizable liquid crystal compound L-4 (Me represents a methyl group)

Photopolymerization initiator PI-1

Leveling agent T-1

[Preparation of UV Adhesive Composition]

The following UV adhesive composition was prepared.

UV adhesive composition CEL2021P (manufactured by Daicel Corporation)shown below: 70 parts by mass 1,4-Butanediol diglycidyl ether: 20 partsby mass 2-Ethylhexyl glycidyl ether: 10 parts by mass CPI-100P: 2.25parts by mass CPI-100P

  100

[Preparation of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Ad1]

Next, an acrylate-based polymer was prepared according to the followingprocedures.

70 parts by mass of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 20 parts by mass of ethylacrylate, 6 parts by mass of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and 4 parts bymass of acrylic acid were polymerized by a solution polymerizationmethod in a reaction container equipped with a cooling pipe, a nitrogenintroduction pipe, a thermometer, and a stirrer, thereby obtaining anacrylate-based polymer (A1) with an average molecular weight of 300000.

Next, an acrylate-based pressure-sensitive adhesive was prepared usingthe obtained acrylate-based polymer (A1) according to the followingprocedure.

2 parts by mass of trimethylolpropane tolylene diisocyanate (“CORONATEL”, manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.) was added to100 parts by mass of the solid content of the acrylate-based polymer(A1), and a separate film subjected to a surface treatment with asilicone-based release agent was coated with the mixture using a diecoater and dried at 150° C. for 3 hours, thereby obtaining anacrylate-based pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 having a film thicknessof 150 μm.

[Preparation of Laminate of Example 1]

The surface of the oxygen blocking layer B1 of the laminate 1B wasattached to thin plate glass (D263, manufactured by SCHOTT AG)(thickness: 50 μm) using the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1. Next, thecellulose acylate film 1 of the laminate 1B was peeled off and removed,the removed surface and the TAC film A1 having the positive A-plate A1on the phase difference side were attached to each other by irradiationwith UV rays with a light dose of 600 mJ/cm² using the UV adhesivecomposition (thickness of UV adhesive layer: 1 μm), and the celluloseacylate film 1 and the photo-alignment layer PA2 were peeled off andremoved from the TAC film A1 having the positive A-plate A1, therebyobtaining a laminate of Example 1.

In this manner, the laminate of Example 1 having the thin glass (D263,manufactured by SCHOTT AG), the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the oxygen blocking layer B1, thecured layer N1, the liquid crystal layer P1 (polarizer layer), thephoto-alignment layer PA1, the UV adhesive layer (secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), and the positive A-plate A1 (λ/4plate) (optically anisotropic layer) adjacent to each other in thisorder was obtained.

The laminate of Example 1 has the thin plate glass (D263, manufacturedby SCHOTT AG), the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the liquid crystal layer P1(polarizer layer), the UV adhesive layer (second pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer), and the positive A-plate A1 (λ/4 plate) (opticallyanisotropic layer) in order.

Further, in the laminate of Example 1, the thin plate glass (D263manufactured by SCHOTT AG) has a thickness of less than 100 μm and thuscorresponds to the above-described specific glass plate. Further, in thelaminate of Example 1, the liquid crystal layer P1 is a polarizer layerformed from the composition for forming a polarizer layer which containsa liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroic material and thuscorresponds to the above-described specific polarizer layer. Further, inthe laminate of Example 1, the layers present between thepressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (first pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer) and the liquid crystal layer P1 (polarizer layer) are the oxygenblocking layer B1 (thickness: 1.0 μm) and the cured layer N1 (thickness:0.05 μm), and the distance A is 1.05 μm, which is 10 μm or less.Further, in the laminate of Example 1, the layer present between theliquid crystal layer P1 (polarizer layer) and the UV adhesive layer(second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer) is the photo-alignment layerPA1 (thickness: 1.0 μm), and the distance B is 1.0 μm, which is 10 μm orless.

Therefore, the laminate of Example 1 corresponds to the above-describedlaminate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Example 2

A laminate of Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1except that the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet (2) of Example 2 ofJP2019-7001A having a thickness of 150 μm was used in place of thepressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1.

The laminate of Example 2 has the thin plate glass (D263, manufacturedby SCHOTT), the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet (2) (firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the oxygen blocking layer B1, thecured layer N1, the liquid crystal layer P1 (polarizer layer), thephoto-alignment layer PA1, the UV adhesive layer (secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), and the positive A-plate A1 (λ/4plate) (optically anisotropic layer) adjacent to each other in thisorder.

The laminate of Example 2 corresponds to the above-described laminateaccording to the embodiment of the present invention in the same manneras that for the laminate of Example 1.

Example 3

A laminate of Example 3 was prepared as follows.

[Preparation of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Ad2]

An acrylate-based pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad2 was obtained in thesame manner as that for the above-described acrylate-basedpressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 except that the film thickness thereofwas set to 20 μm.

[Preparation of Polyimide Film S-1]

The polyimide film S-1 was produced as follows.

<Production of Polyimide Powder>

832 g of N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) was added to a 1 L reactorequipped with a stirrer, a nitrogen injection device, a dropping funnel,a temperature controller, and a cooler under a nitrogen stream, and thetemperature of the reactor was set to 25° C. 64.046 g (0.2 mol) ofbistrifluoromethylbenzidine (TFDB) was added to the mixture anddissolved therein 31.09 g (0.07 mol) of a 2,2-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) and 8.83 g (0.03 mol) of abiphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) were added to the obtainedsolution while the solution was maintained at 25° C., and the solutionwas stirred for a certain period of time and allowed to react.Thereafter, 20.302 g (0.1 mol) of terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) was addedto the solution, thereby obtaining a polyamic acid solution having aconcentration of solid contents of 13% by mass. Next, 25.6 g of pyridineand 33.1 g of acetic anhydride were added to the polyamic acid solution,and the resulting solution was stirred for 30 minutes, further stirredat 70° C. for 1 hour, and cooled to room temperature. 20 L of methanolwas added thereto, and the precipitated solid content was filtered andcrushed. Thereafter, the crushed solid content was dried in vacuum at100° C. for 6 hours, thereby obtaining 1.11 g of polyimide powder.

<Production of Polyimide Film S-1>

100 g of the polyimide powder was dissolved in 670 g ofN,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) to obtain a 13 mass % solution. Theobtained solution was cast on a stainless steel plate and dried with hotair at 130° C. for 30 minutes. Thereafter, the film was peeled off fromthe stainless steel plate and fixed to a frame with a pin, and the frameto which the film was fixed was placed in a vacuum oven, heated for 2hours while the heating temperature was gradually raised from 100° C. to300° C., and gradually cooled. The cooled film was separated from theframe and further subjected to a heat treatment at 300° C. for 30minutes as a final heat treatment step, thereby obtaining a basematerial S-1 consisting of a polyimide film and having a thickness of 30μm.

[Preparation of Laminate of Example 3]

The polyimide film S-1 was attached to thin plate glass (D263,manufactured by SCHOTT AG) (thickness: 50 μm) using thepressure-sensitive adhesive Ad2. Next, the surface of the oxygenblocking layer B1 of the laminate 1B was attached to the surface of thepolyimide film S-1 opposite to the thin glass plate using theabove-described adhesive Ad1. Next, the cellulose acylate film 1 of thelaminate 1B was peeled off and removed, the removed surface and the TACfilm A1 having the positive A-plate A1 on the phase difference side wereattached to each other by irradiation with IN rays with a light dose of600 mJ/cm² using the UV adhesive composition (thickness of UV adhesivelayer: 1 μm), and the cellulose acylate film 1 and the photo-alignmentlayer PA2 were peeled off and removed from the TAC film A1 having thepositive A-plate A1, thereby obtaining a laminate of Example 3.

The laminate of Example 3 has the thin plate glass (D263, manufacturedby SCHOTT AG), the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad2, the polyimide filmS-1, the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (first pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer), the oxygen blocking layer B1, the cured layer N1, theliquid crystal layer P1 (polarizer layer), the photo-alignment layerPA1, the UV adhesive layer (second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer),and the positive A-plate A1 (λ/4 plate) (optically anisotropic layer)adjacent to each other in this order.

Further, the laminate of Example 3 has two pressure-sensitive adhesivelayers (the adhesive Ad2 and the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1)between the thin plate glass and the liquid crystal layer P1 (polarizerlayer), and since the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer Ad1 is apressure-sensitive adhesive layer closest to the liquid crystal layer P1(polarizer layer), the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 corresponds tothe above-described first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

The laminate of Example 3 corresponds to the above-described laminateaccording to the embodiment of the present invention in the same manneras that for the laminate of Example 1.

Example 4

A laminate of Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1except that the oxygen blocking layer B1 was not formed in the laminate1B.

The laminate of Example 4 has thin plate glass (D263, manufactured bySCHOTT AG), the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the cured layer N1, the liquidcrystal layer P1 (polarizer layer), the photo-alignment layer PA1, theUV adhesive layer (second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer), and thepositive A-plate A1 (λ/4 plate) (optically anisotropic layer) adjacentto each other in this order.

The laminate of Example 4 corresponds to the above-described laminateaccording to the embodiment of the present invention in the same manneras that for the laminate of Example 1.

Comparative Example 1

One surface of the polarizer (thickness: 12 μm) (also referred to as the“comparative polarizer layer”) described in paragraph [0157] ofJP2019-7001A was attached to thin plate glass (D263, manufactured byscram AG) (thickness: 50 μm) using the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1.Next, the other surface of the comparative polarizer layer and the TACfilm A1 having the positive A-plate A1 on the phase difference side wereattached to each other by irradiation with UV rays with a light dose of600 mJ/cm² using the UV adhesive composition (thickness of UV adhesivelayer: 1 μm), and the cellulose acylate film 1 and the photo-alignmentlayer PA2 were peeled off and removed from the TAC film A1 having thepositive A-plate A1, thereby obtaining a laminate of Comparative Example1.

The laminate of Comparative Example 1 has the thin plate glass (D263,manufactured by SCHOTT AG), the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the comparative polarizer layer, theUV adhesive layer (second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer), and thepositive A-plate A1 (λ/4 plate) (optically anisotropic layer) adjacentto each other in this order.

In the laminate of Comparative Example 1, the comparative polarizerlayer is not a polarizer layer formed of the composition for forming apolarizer layer which contains a liquid crystal compound and an organicdichroic material and thus does not correspond to the specific polarizerlayer described above.

Therefore, the laminate of Comparative Example 1 does not correspond tothe above-described laminate according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

Comparative Example 2

First, the cellulose acylate film 2 was bonded to one surface of thepolarizer (thickness: 12 μm) (comparative polarizer layer) described inparagraph [0157] of JP2019-7001A, and the cellulose triacylate film TJ40(manufactured by FUJIFILM Co., Ltd.) (thickness: 40 μm) was bonded tothe other surface of the polarizer, thereby obtaining a comparativelaminate.

Next, the surface of the cellulose triacetate film TJ40 of thecomparative laminate was attached to the thin plate glass (D263,manufactured by SCHOTT) (thickness: 50 μm) using the pressure-sensitiveadhesive Ad1. Next, the surface of the cellulose acrylate film 2 of thecomparative laminate and the TAC film A1 having the positive A-plate A1on the phase difference side were attached to each other by irradiationwith UV rays with a light dose of 600 mJ/cm² using the UV adhesivecomposition (thickness of UV adhesive layer: 1 μm), and the celluloseacylate film 1 and the photo-alignment layer PA2 were peeled off andremoved from the TAC film A1 having the positive A-plate A1, therebyobtaining a laminate of Comparative Example 2.

The laminate of Comparative Example 2 has the thin plate glass (D263,manufactured by SCHOTT AG), the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the cellulose triacetate film TJ40,the comparative polarizer layer, the cellulose acylate film 2, the UVadhesive layer (second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer), and thepositive A-plate A1 (λ/4 plate) (optically anisotropic layer).

In the laminate of Comparative Example 2, the comparative polarizerlayer is not a polarizer layer formed of the composition for forming apolarizer layer which contains a liquid crystal compound and an organicdichroic material and thus does not correspond to the specific polarizerlayer described above. Further, in the laminate of Comparative Example2, since the cellulose triacetate film TAO (thickness: 40 μm) is presentbetween the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (first pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer) and the comparative polarizer layer, the distance A isgreater than 10 μm. Further, in the laminate of Comparative Example 2,since the cellulose acylate film 2 (thickness: 25 μm) is present betweenthe comparative polarizer layer and the UV adhesive layer (secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the distance B is greater than 10μm.

Therefore, the laminate of Comparative Example 2 does not correspond tothe above-described laminate according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

Comparative Example 3

A laminate of Comparative Example 3 was obtained in the same manner asin Comparative Example 2 except that Gorilla Glass 5 (thickness: 600 μm)(manufactured by Corning Inc.) was used in place of the thin plate glass(D263, manufactured by SCHOTT AG).

The laminate of Comparative Example 3 has Gorilla Glass 5 (manufacturedby Corning Inc.), the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the cellulose triacetate film TJ40,the comparative polarizer layer, the cellulose acylate film 2, the UVadhesive layer (second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer), and thepositive A-plate A1 (λ/4 plate) (optically anisotropic layer).

In the laminate of Comparative Example 3, Gorilla Glass 5 (manufacturedby Corning Inc.) has a thickness of 100 μm or greater and thus does notcorrespond to the above-described specific glass plate. Further, in thelaminate of Comparative Example 3, the comparative polarizer layer isnot a polarizer layer formed of the composition for forming a polarizerlayer which contains a liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroicmaterial and thus does not correspond to the above-described specificpolarizer layer. Further, in the laminate of Comparative Example 3,since the cellulose triacetate film TJ40 (thickness: 40 μm) is presentbetween the pressure-sensitive adhesive Ad1 (first pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer) and the comparative polarizer layer, the distance A isgreater than 10 μm. Further, in the laminate of Comparative Example 3,since the cellulose acylate film 2 (thickness: 25 μm) is present betweenthe comparative polarizer layer and the UV adhesive layer (secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer), the distance B is greater than 10μm.

Therefore, the laminate of Comparative Example 3 does not correspond tothe above-described laminate according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

[Evaluation]

The following evaluations were performed on each of the obtainedlaminates.

[Bending Resistance]

A sample film having a width of 15 mm and a length of 150 μm was cut outfrom the obtained laminate and allowed to stand at a temperature of 25°C. and a relative humidity of 60% for 1 hour or longer. Thereafter, thebending resistance test was repeatedly performed with the glass plate onthe outside using a 180° bending resistance tester (IMC-0755 type,manufactured by Imoto Machinery Co., Ltd.). The tester used is a testerthat performs an operation of bending the sample film along the curvedsurface of a rod (cylinder) with a diameter of 20 mm at a bending angleof 180° at the central part in the longitudinal direction and returningthe bent film to the original state (widening the sample film) as onetest and repeatedly performs this test. In a case where the 180° bendingtest was repeatedly performed at 200 times/minute, a case where themaximum number of times at which cracks did not occur was greater than1000 times was denoted as A, a case where the maximum number of timesthereof was greater than 100 times and 1000 times or less was denoted asB, a case where the maximum number of times thereof was greater than 1time and 100 times or less was denoted as C, and a case where themaximum number of times thereof was 0 times was denoted as D. Further,the presence or absence of cracks was evaluated with an opticalmicroscope.

The results are listed in Table 1. Practically, A or B is preferable,and A is more preferable as the evaluation result.

[Scratch Resistance]

The scratch resistance was evaluated by performing a rubbing test on thesurface of the glass plate of the obtained laminate under the followingconditions using a rubbing tester.

Evaluation environmental conditions: 25° C., relative humidity of 60%Rubbing material: Steel wool (manufactured by Nihon Steel Wool Co.,Ltd., grade No. #0000)

The material was wrapped around the rubbing tip (2 cm×2 cm) of thetester brought into contact with the sample and fixed to the band.

Movement distance (one way): 13 cm

Rubbing speed: 13 cm/sec

Load: 1 kg/cm²

Tip contact area: 2 cm×2 cm

Number of times of rubbing: 10 round trips, 100 round trips, 1000 roundtrips

The surface of the laminate after the test on a side opposite to therubbed was coated with oil-based black ink and visually observed withreflected light, and the number of times of rubbing in a case wherescratches occurred on the part that was in contact with steel wool wasmeasured and evaluated.

A: No scratches occurred in a case where the surface was rubbed 1000times back and forth

B: No scratches occurred in a case where the surface was rubbed 100times back and forth, but scratches occurred in a case where the surfacewas rubbed 1000 times back and forth

C: No scratches occurred in a case where the surface was rubbed 10 timesback and forth, but scratches occurred in a case where the surface wasrubbed 100 times back and forth

D: Scratches occurred in a case where the surface was rubbed 10 timesback and forth.

The results are listed in Table 1. Practically, A or B is preferable,and A is more preferable as the evaluation result.

The results are listed in Table 1. Practically, A or B is preferable,and A is more preferable as the evaluation result.

[Durability]

The obtained laminate was cut into a size of 50 mm×50 mm, and thesurface of the positive A plate A1 was pressure-bonded onto a glasssubstrate (Eagle XG, manufactured by Corning Inc.) using apressure-sensitive adhesive SK2057 (manufactured by Soken Chemical &Engineering Co., Ltd.). The glass substrate pressure-bonded sample wassubjected to a durability test at 813° C., and the following changes inthe degree of polarization were evaluated.

Each laminate of the examples and the comparative examples was set on asample table in a state in which a linear polarizer was inserted on alight source side of an optical microscope (product name, “ECLIPSE E600POL”, manufactured by Nikon Corporation), the transmittance of eachlaminate was measured using a multi-channel spectrometer (product name,“QE65000”, manufactured by Ocean Optics, Inc.), and the degrees ofpolarization was calculated according to the following equation.

${{Degree}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{polarization}\text{:}\mspace{14mu} P} = \left. \sqrt{}\left\lbrack {\left( {{{Ty}\; 0} - {{Tz}\; 0}} \right)\left( {{{Ty}\; 0} + {{Tz}\; 0}} \right)} \right\rbrack \right.$

Tz0: Transmittance of laminate with respect to polarized light inabsorption axis direction

Ty0: Transmittance of laminate with respect to polarized light intransmission axis direction

A: Change in the degree of polarization was less than 5%

B: Change in the degree of polarization was greater than or equal to 5%and less than 10%

C: Change in the degree of polarization was 10% or greater

The results are listed in Table 1. Practically, A or B is preferable,and A is more preferable as the evaluation result.

[Shape Stability]

The obtained laminate was cut into a size of 50 mm×50 mm, and thesurface of the positive A plate A1 was pressure-bonded onto a glasssubstrate (Eagle XG, manufactured by Corning Inc.) using apressure-sensitive adhesive SK2057 (manufactured by Soken Chemical &Engineering Co., Ltd.). This glass substrate pressure-bonded sample wassubjected to a durability test at 60° C. and 90%, and the sample wasobserved and visually evaluated.

A: No wrinkles occurred in 400 hours or longer

B: Wrinkles occurred in 100 hours or longer and shorter than 400 hours

C: Wrinkles occurred in 50 hours or longer and shorter than 100 hours

D: Wrinkles occurred in shorter than 50 hours

The results are listed in Table 1. Practically, A is preferable.

TABLE 1 Comparative Comparative Comparative Example 1 Example 2 Example3 Example 4 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Bending A A A A A C Dresistance Scratch A A A A A A A resistance Durability A A A B C A AShape stability A A A A B A A

As listed in Table 1, each of the laminates of Examples 1 to 4, in whichthe specific glass plate, the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer,the specific polarizer layer, the second pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer, and the optically anisotropic layer were provided in order andthe distance A and the distance B were respectively 1.0 μm or less,exhibited excellent bending resistance, scratch resistance, durability,and shape stability. Among these, the laminates of Examples 1 to 3 whichhad the oxygen blocking layer exhibited more excellent durability.

On the contrary, the laminate of Comparative Example 3 in which thethickness of the glass plate was 100 μm or greater had insufficientbending resistance.

Further, the laminate of Comparative Example 2 in which the thickness ofthe glass plate was less than 100 μm but the distance A and the distanceB were respectively greater than 10 μm also had insufficient bendingresistance. The reason for this is considered to be that the celluloseacylate film and the cellulose triacetate film attached to the polarizerlayer were deteriorated.

Further, the laminate of Comparative Example 1 in which the glass platewas a specific glass plate and the distance A and the distance B wererespectively 10 μm or less, but the polarizer layer was not the specificpolarizer layer had insufficient durability and insufficient shapestability. The reason fir this is considered to be that the degree ofdeflection was decreased due to the outflow of iodine in the polarizerlayer.

Explanation of References

-   -   10: glass plate    -   20: first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer    -   30: polarizer layer (specific polarizer layer)    -   40: second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer    -   50: λ/4 plate (optically anisotropic layer)    -   60: photo-alignment layer    -   70: cured layer    -   80: oxygen blocking layer    -   100: optical laminate    -   200: optical laminate

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical laminate comprising: a glass plate; afirst pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; a polarizer layer; a secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and an optically anisotropic layer inthis order, wherein the glass plate has a thickness of less than 100 μm,the polarizer layer is a polarizer layer formed of a composition forforming a polarizer layer which contains a liquid crystal compound andan organic dichroic material, a distance A between the firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the polarizer layer is 10 μm orless, a distance B between the polarizer layer and the secondpressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 10 μm or less, in a case where twoor more pressure-sensitive adhesive layers are provided between theglass plate and the polarizer layer, the first pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer denotes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer closest tothe polarizer layer among the two or more pressure-sensitive adhesivelayers provided between the glass plate and the polarizer layer, and ina case where two or more pressure-sensitive adhesive layers are providedbetween the polarizer layer and the optically anisotropic layer, thesecond pressure-sensitive adhesive layer denotes a pressure-sensitiveadhesive layer closest to the polarizer layer among the two or morepressure-sensitive adhesive layers provided between the polarizer layerand the optically anisotropic layer.
 2. The optical laminate accordingto claim 1, wherein the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is acohesive adhesive layer.
 3. The optical laminate according to claim 1,wherein the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is an adhesivelayer.
 4. The optical laminate according to claim 3, wherein theadhesive layer is an adhesive layer formed of a PVA-based adhesive or aUV adhesive.
 5. The optical laminate according to claim 1, wherein afunctional layer is provided in at least one of between the firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the polarizer layer or between thepolarizer layer and the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.
 6. Theoptical laminate according to claim 1, wherein the polarizer layer has athickness of 10 μm or less.
 7. The optical laminate according to claim1, wherein the optically anisotropic layer is formed by being coatedwith a liquid crystal composition.
 8. The optical laminate according toclaim 1, wherein the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has anabsorbance of 0.5 or greater at a wavelength of 360 nm and a wavelengthof 400 μm.
 9. The optical laminate according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a UV absorbing layer having an absorbance of 0.5 or greaterat a wavelength of 360 nm and a wavelength of 400 nm on a side of theglass plate with respect to the polarizer layer.
 10. An organic ELdisplay device comprising: the optical laminate according to claim 1.11. A foldable device which is formed of the organic EL display deviceaccording to claim
 10. 12. The optical laminate according to claim 2,wherein the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is an adhesivelayer.
 13. The optical laminate according to claim 12, wherein theadhesive layer is an adhesive layer formed of a PVA-based adhesive or aUV adhesive.
 14. The optical laminate according to claim 2, wherein afunctional layer is provided in at least one of between the firstpressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the polarizer layer or between thepolarizer layer and the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. 15.The optical laminate according to claim 2, wherein the polarizer layerhas a thickness of 10 μm or less.
 16. The optical laminate according toclaim 2, wherein the optically anisotropic layer is formed by beingcoated with a liquid crystal composition.
 17. The optical laminateaccording to claim 2, wherein the first pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer has an absorbance of 0.5 or greater at a wavelength of 360 nm anda wavelength of 400 nm.
 18. The optical laminate according to claim 2,further comprising: a UV absorbing layer having an absorbance of 0.5 orgreater at a wavelength of 360 nm and a wavelength of 400 inn on a sideof the glass plate with respect to the polarizer layer.
 19. An organicEL display device comprising: the optical laminate according to claim 2.20. A foldable device which is formed of the organic EL display deviceaccording to claim 19.